MSF adapts and scales up activities amid escalating Middle East conflict

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is alarmed by the dramatic escalation in conflict across the Middle East region, following strikes by US and Israeli forces in Iran and Iran’s subsequent retaliatory actions in several countries. MSF is adapting our programmes to respond, and we are closely monitoring the rapidly evolving humanitarian needs. 

Across the region, the escalation in violence has brought fear to the lives of millions of people. Bombing continues across multiple cities and villages, often hitting densely populated areas, and casualties are mounting. MSF calls for the protection of civilians, hospitals, health facilities, and other essential infrastructure, at all times. 

In Lebanon, thousands of people have been displaced. 

“The escalation in conflict comes after 15 months of a ‘ceasefire agreement’ that never brought real safety for people in Lebanon,” says Francesca Quinto, MSF programme manager. “The latest strikes and evacuation orders to all of Beirut’s southern suburbs, and almost all of the south of the country, are now forcing even more people to flee. And there is nowhere safe to go.”