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Doctors Without Borders ends work in Russia after three decades

The international humanitarian organization Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF, or Doctors Without Borders) announced the closure of its programs in Russia earlier today, effectively ending 32 years of work in the country.

The organization cited a decision by Russia's Ministry of Justice in August to remove MSF’s Dutch branch from the official registry of foreign non-governmental organizations (NGOs) operating in Russia, according to the statement. The reasons behind the Ministry’s decision to delist the branch were not specified.

“After receiving a letter from the Ministry of Justice of Russia, MSF-Netherlands had to close our operations in the country. This comes after 32 years of working in Russia,” the statement read.

“It is with a heavy heart that we have to close our activities in Russia,” said the head of MSF programs in the country. “Our organisation’s work is guided by the principles of independence, impartiality, and neutrality, and medical ethics. We provide assistance based on the needs.”

The statement also expressed concern that many people in need of medical and humanitarian assistance would now be left without support.

“We are very sad to conclude our programmes in the country as many people in need of medical and humanitarian assistance will now be left without the support we could have provided to them. MSF would like to still work in Russia again, if and when possible,” the organization added.

Founded in 1971 by a group of French doctors and journalists, MSF provides medical aid in conflict zones, amid epidemics, and in areas affected by natural disasters. It currently operates in over 70 countries worldwide.

MSF has been active in Russia since 1992, working on tuberculosis and HIV treatment and prevention, supporting homeless populations, and providing humanitarian aid in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Chechnya, Ingushetia, Dagestan, and, more recently, in the Arkhangelsk and Ivanovo regions, along with southern Russian cities like Rostov-on-Don. Following the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in Feb. 2022, MSF provided aid to displaced individuals from Ukrainian territories who ended up in Russia, as well as to residents of Russian border regions such as Belgorod, which have been impacted by the ongoing hostilities.

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