Vital medical care for those in most need

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF UK) medical teams act fast to save people's lives in conflict zones, natural disasters and epidemics. They go where they are needed most.

Since 2014, players of People’s Postcode Lottery have supported MSF to quickly respond to emergencies and assist people with the greatest need worldwide. With the support of players, MSF now supports around 10 million people a year, extending to the far corners of the world across more than 70 countries. On any given day MSF treats hundreds of thousands of patients with a variety of need.

In May 2021 fierce clashes between Afghan forces and the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA, also known as the Taliban) took place in and around provincial capitals, claiming thousands of lives. Hospitals were caught in the crossfire, cutting people off from medical care and preventing wounded people from getting emergency treatment. Over the following three months, hundreds of thousands of people were forcibly displaced from their homes. Now, with the fighting over and a change of government, there are mounting concerns about the availability of medical supplies and the state of a healthcare system that has been on the brink of collapse for years.

Throughout the crisis, MSF has provided lifesaving medical care to the people of Afghanistan. In five locations across the country, their teams have been treating emergency trauma patients, supporting people with chronic conditions and providing maternal healthcare.

During just one week, in September 2021, MSF provided emergency treatment for 5,387 injured people at their hospital in Lashkar Gar, conducted 540 medical consultations at their mobile clinic in Spin Boldak, on the border with Pakistan, and supported 481 women to give birth at their maternity hospital in Khost.

MSF’s core principles of neutrality, independence and impartiality, mean they can maintain their presence and activities in Afghanistan, providing lifesaving assistance.

The support of players, which totals an incredible £4,475,000, gives MSF the power to continue providing the people of Afghanistan with the medical care they desperately need, both in Afghanistan as well as supporting our work in neighbouring countries.

MSF’s current Afghan Crisis Appeal is supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery. Up to £350,000 in funding raised by players has been made available to match all donations received before 31 December 2021.