Doctors Without Borders (MSF), the renowned medical aid organization, has announced the closure of its operations in Russia after a remarkable 32-year presence. The decision comes after the Russian Justice Ministry removed MSF from its register of foreign non-governmental organizations. While MSF will maintain a branch office in Moscow, all operational activities, previously managed by its Dutch affiliate, have ceased.
MSF’s operations in Russia have been instrumental in providing vital aid to vulnerable populations, including homeless individuals, migrants, and those suffering from tuberculosis. The organization also delivered general healthcare services, including treatment for infectious diseases such as HIV.
Since the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, MSF had extended its assistance to over 52,000 individuals who had either crossed into Russia from Ukraine or were internally displaced within the country.
In recent months, MSF had been preparing to respond to the urgent humanitarian and medical needs of internally displaced people in the Kursk region of Russia, where Ukrainian forces had made significant advances. This region became the first Russian territory under foreign occupation since World War II.
Norman Sitali, the operations manager for MSF programs in Russia, expressed deep sadness over the closure, highlighting the immense impact it will have on those in need of medical and humanitarian support. He emphasized MSF’s desire to resume operations in Russia if and when circumstances allow.
This closure represents a significant loss for the people of Russia who relied on MSF for vital healthcare and humanitarian assistance. It underscores the ongoing challenges faced by international aid organizations operating within Russia, particularly in the context of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
