Latest news with #MédecinsSansFrontières
The Hill
a day ago
- Health
- The Hill
What does declaring famine mean, and why hasn't it been done in Gaza?
The deteriorating humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip is sparking global indignation, with a group of experts warning the war-torn enclave is on the brink of famine, if it hasn't already reached it. The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, or IPC — which is backed by the United Nations and major relief agencies — issued an alert Tuesday, contending 'the worst-case scenario of famine is currently playing out in the Gaza Strip.' But the alert does not formally designate famine in the territory. A famine rating would require three thresholds to be reached: at least 20 percent of households facing an extreme lack of food, at least 30 percent of children suffering from acute malnutrition and two people for every 10,000 dying per day due to outright starvation or to the interaction of malnutrition and disease, according to the IPC. Experts have not been able to corroborate the latter as it would require gathering data in Gaza, which it cannot access due to severe restrictions imposed by Israeli authorities following Hamas's attack on Oct. 7, 2023. Israel maintains it is not responsible for the hunger crisis, despite restricting aid into Gaza at times throughout the conflict. The Israeli government justified a full blockade of aid in March on the basis that Hamas would otherwise steal the supplies. The militant group has rejected this claim. More than 100 aid organizations, including Médecins Sans Frontières and Save the Children, have accused Israel of causing 'mass starvation' by shutting its land crossings for months while tons of food, clean water, medical supplies, shelter items and fuel sits idle at the border. Since May, Israel has allowed some aid back into Gaza, but aid agencies assert that the amounts are woefully insufficient. Distribution sites run by the U.S.-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation have been wracked by fatal violence. A spokesperson for a United Nations human rights body said in mid-July that, by then, 875 people had been killed while seeking aid in Gaza, including 674 'in the vicinity of GHF sites.' Recent weeks have seen a rise in international condemnation of Israel's policies as malnutrition in Gaza has grown more dire. At least one person in three in Gaza is going without food for days at a time, according to the IPC, and at least 16 children under the age of five have died from 'hunger-related causes' since mid-July. In response, the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement Monday it would continue to work with international aid agencies, as well as the U.S. and European nations, 'to ensure that large amounts of humanitarian aid flows into the Gaza Strip.' 'As part of this effort, Israel paused IDF operations in key populated areas of Gaza from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day and designated secure routes from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. that will ensure the safe passage of more convoys delivering aid,' the statement read. President Trump, asked point-blank on Monday if he agrees with Netanyahu's assessment that there is no starvation in Gaza, said, 'Based on television, I would say not particularly.' 'Some of those kids, that's real starvation stuff. I see it. You can't fake that,' Trump acknowledged while on a visit to Scotland, adding, 'We have to get the kids fed.'
Zawya
3 days ago
- Health
- Zawya
For women in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), nowhere is safe from sexual violence
Every week, hundreds of victims and survivors of sexual violence seek care at health centres supported by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) in Goma, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). In 2024 alone, nearly 40,000 women were treated by MSF teams in North Kivu province — a record high. In January 2025, M23/Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC) forces – backed by Rwanda – took control of Goma, the provincial capital and home to over a million people, after years of fighting against the Congolese army and allied armed groups. Since then, the prevalence of sexual violence has shown no signs of decreasing. During the first week of the offensive, hospitals rapidly became overwhelmed by a surge in casualties, both military and civilian. Morgues filled quickly as the Congolese army and its allies retreated, allowing M23/AFC to take over as the new authorities in the city. Heightened insecurity, increased crime and rampant violence became the new normal. MSF teams continue to record alarming levels of sexual violence cases. Between January and April, more than 7,400 victims and survivors of sexual violence received treatment at Ministry of Health facilities supported by MSF in Goma. West of the city, in Saké, an additional 2,400 victims and survivors were treated during the same period. Sexual violence remains prevalent under the new order Throughout the week, female victims and survivors of sexual violence, of all ages, can be found gathering from early in the morning at health centres where MSF works in Goma. They need healing, support, and to be heard. Nasha* was among many patients to visit in May. Like many of the women, her life has been turned upside down by persistent conflict in North Kivu. Originally from Masisi, a territory to the west of Goma, she fled ahead of clashes in the province between 2021-2024. They moved to a displaced persons camp alongside some 650,000 others on the edge of Goma. But in February 2025, the M23/AFC armed group ordered the dismantling of camps, effectively forcing their residents to leave. Large numbers are unable to return to their area of origin because they lack the resources to do so, or because their lands have been seized. This has led many to seek refuge with host families or in low-cost housing in Goma and the surrounding suburbs. 'I lived in the Rusayo displaced persons camp,' says Nasha. 'After it was destroyed, we moved to the courtyard of a school where we built a shelter.' 'Armed men broke in one evening at 10:30 pm,' she continues. 'They attacked me. When my husband tried to protect me, they shot him dead.' Nasha's story is far from unique in Goma and its outskirts. Every day, before nightfall, women travel to the city from the neighbouring territory of Nyiragongo in a bid to stay safe – too often in vain. Attacks on shelters, whether on small plots of land, rooms rented out by Goma residents, or public places, are frequent. 'In recent years, most rapes happened during daily activities – particularly when women left the displaced persons' camps to search for firewood or to engage in small-scale trading activities,' explains Armelle Gbagbo, who runs women's health activities for MSF. 'Today, many attacks happen at sites where women are living – whether in a house or in a refuge – and particularly during the night when insecurity increases,' says Gbagbo. 'They are attacked wherever: in their homes, with their families, alone, in the streets of Goma, or during outings on the edge of town.' Nowhere is safe. Denisa*, a minor, is originally from Rutshuru. She fled with her family to Goma amid the M23/AFC advance deeper into North Kivu a few months ago. In April, armed men broke into their home. 'They were wearing military uniforms and came to steal from us,' says Denisa. 'I was with my dad, my brothers and my little sisters. The men ordered my family to leave and raped me.' Not all sexual violence is committed by armed men, in military uniform or otherwise. Many assaults are also committed by those closest to the victims themselves. 'We shouldn't discount the very significant proportion of sexual violence committed by family members, other members of the survivors' entourage, or within host families,' says Gbagbo. Exploiting vulnerabilities 'The people of Goma have been gripped by fear since the city was taken,' says Frédéric Germain, MSF's project coordinator. 'There is significant insecurity in the city.' 'Many criminals commit attacks, rapes and murders by night. A high availability of weapons mean that bandits and armed groups pose a constant threat,' says Germain. 'The economy is slowing down, and the population is facing a system of violent predation.' Sarah* also recently visited one of the health centres in Goma. Her husband was recently kidnapped by men armed with rifles and machetes, who stormed into the small house where she and her family were staying after the camps were dismantled. 'It was a few weeks ago and I haven't had news since,' says Sarah. Others around her recounted stories of killings, looting, kidnapping, and similar forced disappearances of fathers and brothers. A recent study by Epicentre, MSF's epidemiological research centre, highlights a surge in violence in Goma, with the number of violent incidents reported in the first six months of this year being more than five times higher than in 2024. [1] 'The proportion of violent deaths recorded in this study is very high, representing one in four deaths,' says explained Dr Brahima Touré, an epidemiologist working with Epicentre. 'Incidents of physical violence and verbal threats are also occurring in large numbers, as testified by the number of people witnessing such events.' 'The results show high levels of sexual violence, which are likely to be significantly underestimated given that in this kind of study on violence, survivors find it difficult to speak out,' says Dr Touré. Targeted support, immense needs The offensive on Goma led many civil society figures to flee, with several humanitarian organisations working to support sexual violence survivors and victims also leaving, in part due to the impact of American budget cuts. 'In Goma, we are practically the only association providing health services to these women,' says Germain. 'But the needs are immense.' After being attacked in May, Angélica*, didn't confide in friends or family. 'I was ashamed,' says Angélica. 'I didn't know where to find help, so I stayed at home. After five days, I went to look for medicinal leaves to heal myself.' 'I felt very bad and had pain in my stomach,' she continues. 'I met a community health officer who directed me to the CCLK health centre where MSF offers free care.' Among the victims and survivors seen by MSF, close to 20 per cent are unable to seek medical attention within 72 hours of being attacked. This is a critical window during which the administration of post-exposure prophylaxis medication can significantly reduce the likelihood of contracting sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). 'There is a high percentage of women suffering from STDs,' says Gbagbo. 'This is also linked to the phenomenon of gang rapes or the practice of trading sex to survive.' 'Many women say they are sexually exploited by the people housing them in exchange for food or a roof over their head,' she says. Congolese women are also suffering the consequences of the dismantling of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) under the administration of Donald Trump. An order of 100,000 post-rape kits – which include medication for preventing infection from HIV and other STDs – that were set to be distributed to multiple organisations treating sexual violence victims and survivors in eastern DRC was cancelled this year, with catastrophic consequences. 'In May, the United Nations Population Fund in North Kivu, which helped sexual violence survivors with support from USAID, only had 2,500 emergency kits for the entire province, while thousands of women are attacked every month,' says Gbagbo. Sexual violence is not limited to Goma or its suburbs. Victims and survivors travel dozens of kilometres to seek treatment in the city. 'It is essential that other international partners step up to support these women,' says Germain. 'Thousands are in need of urgent medical assistance.' *Names have been changed to protect the identity of patients. [1] Study conducted by Epicentre on the monitoring of the oral cholera vaccination strategy and its impacts through repeated multi-indicator surveys in the city of Goma and the rural area of Bukama, including a retrospective mortality survey for the period from 31 March 2024 to 11 June 2025. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Médecins sans frontières (MSF).
The Guardian
3 days ago
- General
- The Guardian
Using airdrops to deliver aid is ‘futile initiative that smacks of cynicism', says MSF – Middle East crisis live
Update: Date: 2025-07-29T07:36:10.000Z Title: Using airdrops to deliver aid is 'futile initiative that smacks of cynicism', MSF says Content: We are continuing our live coverage of Israel's war on Gaza as international pressure on Israel to allow more aid into the territory continues to grow amid reports of widespread starvation and malnutrition. Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has condemned the use of airdrops to deliver desperately needed aid to Gaza, calling the approach 'futile' and 'cynical'. Jean Guy Vataux, MSF's emergency coordinator in Gaza, called for Israel to allow for the full access of humanitarian aid that he says is ready to be delivered across the border by road. He warned that airdrops are 'notoriously ineffective and dangerous' as they can't carry much aid and can injure (or even kill) people when they are dropped. In a post on X, Vataux wrote: Using airdrops for the delivery of humanitarian aid is a futile initiative that smacks of cynicism. The roads are there, the trucks are there, the food and medicine are there, everything is ready to bring humanitarian aid to Gaza just a few kilometres away. All that is needed is for Israeli authorities to decide to facilitate its arrival - expedite the clearance procedures, allow the entry of goods at scale, and coordinate to permit safe collection and delivery. Only then can we begin to resolve the starvation we are seeing … At the moment, two million people are trapped in a tiny piece of land, which makes up just 12 per cent of the whole Strip - if anything lands in this area, people will inevitably be injured. On the other hand, if the airdrops land in areas where Israel has issued displacement orders, people will be forced to enter militarised zones – once again risking their lives for food. Israel says more than 200 aid trucks were collected and distributed yesterday by aid agencies, and that an additional 260 trucks entered Gaza and are awaiting collection. This is in addition to airdrops carried out by Jordan, the UAE and Israel, which parachuted aid packages into the territory for the first time in months over the weekend. Charities say this aid is totally inadequate for the needs of Gaza's population. Stick with us as we give you the latest updates and analysis throughout the day.
Globe and Mail
4 days ago
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Fifty 1 Labs, Inc. to Host Virtual Shareholder Teleconference Featuring World-Class Leadership Team, including Dr. James Orbinski, who received the Nobel Peace Prize on Behalf of Médecins Sans Frontières
SEATTLE, July 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Fifty 1 Labs, Inc. (OTC: FITY), a leader in AI-powered health and wellness solutions, today announced it will host a virtual shareholder teleconference on Monday, July 28, 2025, at 12:00 PM EST. The event will be broadcast on X (formerly Twitter), featuring Nobel Peace Prize recipient Dr. James Orbinski, who accepted the 1999 Nobel Peace Prize on behalf of Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) for the organization's groundbreaking humanitarian medical aid in crisis zones worldwide. Dr. Orbinski's involvement highlights the company's commitment to global health innovation. Viewers can access the video teleconference directly on X by following @Fifty1Labs or searching for the live stream at the scheduled time. The teleconference will showcase Fifty 1 Labs' world-class leadership team, including Dr. Orbinski as Senior Scientist, and provide insights into the company's strategic roadmap, with a focus on advancements in its subsidiary Fifty 1 AI Labs. Key talking points from the event include: AI-Driven Drug Repurposing and Functional Medicine Leadership: Fifty 1 AI Labs' proprietary AI platform accelerates the repurposing of off-patent compounds, reducing development costs and enabling personalized wellness solutions. This positions the company to capture significant market share in functional medicine, projected to grow at a 10.9% CAGR through 2030. Strategic Roadmap Pillars: The company's plan focuses on three core areas: (1) Innovation through a $1 million R&D investment to advance AI therapies for unmet needs in functional medicine; (2) Growth via a targeted $5–10 million biotech acquisition by July 2027 to expand the pipeline and market reach; and (3) Shareholder alignment with uplisting to OTCQB by Q1 2026 and NASDAQ thereafter, enhancing liquidity and visibility. Management Commitment and Alignment: The leadership team has demonstrated strong confidence by personally investing $350,000 in the company and deferring salaries until a $50 million valuation is achieved or within two years. This aligns executive incentives directly with shareholder value and supports the R&D budget and acquisition strategy. Expert Leadership Team: Led by CEO Paul Arora, a biotech veteran with successful exits in health tech, the team includes Nobel Peace Prize recipient James Orbinski (Senior Scientist), who accepted the 1999 Nobel Peace Prize for Médecins Sans Frontières and co-founded the Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi); Chief Medical Officer Nima Sakian, a pioneer in anti-aging and functional medicine; CTO Alind Gupta, an AI and health analytics expert; Scientific Advisors Edward Mills (founder of the award-winning TOGETHER Trial) and Kristian Thorlund (top 1% cited expert in AI and trial methodology); Strategic Advisor Louis Dron, specializing in AI for drug discovery; and Founder/President Brandon Spikes, a former NFL linebacker bringing wellness and athletic performance insights. Differentiation in AI Drug Development: Unlike traditional models, Fifty 1 AI Labs emphasizes off-patent repurposing with real-world clinical data and adaptive trials for faster, safer, and more affordable therapies. The team's global health and wellness expertise enables unique market positioning, including partnerships with leading universities for evidence-based supplements. Team Cohesion and Academic Rigor: With decades of collaboration across clinical, tech, and global health sectors, the team operates with trust and scientific rigor, leveraging academic partnerships for cutting-edge research and peer-reviewed decision-making. During the teleconference, the leadership team will address forward-looking strategies, including potential risks, and invite shareholders to submit questions post-event to IR@ for future engagement. A recording will be available on the company's website following the broadcast. "We are excited to share our transformative vision with shareholders," said Paul Arora, CEO of Fifty 1 Labs. "By harnessing AI to redefine preventative healthcare, we are not only pursuing exponential growth but also creating lasting value for our investors, partners, and patients." For more details on the teleconference or to access related materials, visit Shareholders are encouraged to tune in live on X at 12:00 PM EST on July 28, 2025. About Fifty 1 Labs, Inc. Fifty 1 Labs, Inc. (OTC: FITY) is a forward-thinking company dedicated to AI-driven innovations in functional medicine and wellness. Through its subsidiary Fifty 1 AI Labs, the company leverages artificial intelligence to repurpose drugs and develop personalized health solutions, targeting high-growth markets in biotech and preventative care. Investor Contact: Investor Relations Fifty 1 Labs, Inc. Email: IR@ Phone: (877) 505-5006 Website: Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding the company's future financial and operating performance, business strategy, plans, objectives, and expectations regarding future events or performance. These statements are based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts, and projections, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made. The company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, except as required by law. For additional details, refer to the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Mint
5 days ago
- Health
- Mint
‘Slow destruction of humanity': Doctor speaks on hunger crisis in Gaza as Israel denies ‘starvation' claims
The Israeli military announced on Sunday that it would implement a daily pause in operations in parts of Gaza and open new aid corridors, following months of international pressure over a growing hunger crisis in the Palestinian enclave. Global concern over the humanitarian situation in Gaza has strengthened, especially after Israel and the US appeared to step away from ceasefire talks with Hamas on Friday, stating that the group had made it clear it was not interested in reaching a deal. Aid organisations said last week that severe hunger is widespread among Gaza's 2.2 million residents, with food supplies running critically low after Israel halted all deliveries in March. Though aid resumed in May, it came with tighter restrictions. Dr. Mohammed Abu Mughaisib, deputy medical coordinator for Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders), explained that within the first six to 24 hours without food, the body starts consuming its glycogen stores for energy. In an Instagram video, Mughaisib said, 'For the past months, I have been surviving on one meal per day. And in the last few days, I have even had only one meal every two days. Not because I cannot afford it, but because there is nothing to buy. The markets are completely empty. We are expected to save lives while our own are slowly being consumed. This is not just about hunger, but about the slow destruction of life, ability, and humanity.' According to the Gaza Health Ministry, which operates under Hamas, dozens have recently died due to malnutrition. Since the conflict began, a total of 127 people, among them 85 children, have died from hunger-related causes. EDS NOTE: GRAPHIC CONTENT - A morgue worker shows journalists the body of 5-month-old baby, Zainab Abu Halib, who died from malnutrition-related causes, according to Dr. Ahmed al-Farah, head of the pediatric department at Nasser Hospital, before her funeral, in Khan Younis, Gaza Strip, Saturday, July 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Mariam Dagga) Israel has denied that starvation is occurring in Gaza, saying the aid suspension was intended to increase pressure on Hamas to release the hostages it still holds. After allowing aid into Gaza in May, Israel claimed there was sufficient food in the territory but accused the United Nations of failing to distribute it properly. In response, the UN stated it was doing its best under the constraints imposed by Israeli restrictions. The conflict began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas-led militants launched a deadly assault in southern Israel, killing around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking 251 hostages back to Gaza. In the months since, Israel's military campaign against Hamas has killed nearly 60,000 people in Gaza, the majority of them civilians, according to health officials in the Hamas-run territory. The offensive has devastated much of Gaza and displaced nearly its entire population. (With inputs from agencies)
