In April 2011, MdM Japan started a humanitarian program focused on primary and psychological healthcare in Otsuchi, a town located in the Iwate district, north-eastern Japan.
On July 1st, 2011, a new MdM program opened in Bosaso, Puntland region, Somalia, one of the few regions still accessible to foreign humanitarian NGOs. MdM, who had been present in Somalia since 2007, has indeed been compelled to close the Merka program (South Somalia) in March 2011, due to deteriorated safety and access conditions that hindered the quality and follow-up of the program, in a country when controlling the humanitarian aid is a major stake. While southern and central Somalia are undergoing violent political turmoil, Puntland remains relatively stable following the appointment of a transitional government. Each day, many migrants and displaced individuals arrive in Bosaso -- Puntland’s business capital and only free-access deep water port in the district -- or try to reach the Gulf States or Yemen.
Médecins du Monde is also implementing an assessment mission in Ethiopia and is prepared to adapt its activities in the area. ..
Rwanda, still affected by the consequences of the 1994 genocide, when nearly one million Tutsis were killed, is rebuilding itself with a reconciliation and unity policy. MdM is working with a local organisation, IBUKA, which provides psychological support to the genocide survivors.
Although the combined efforts of NGOs and the government have slowed HIV transmission, many factors which encourage the spread of the disease—such as internal migration, poverty, human trafficking and prostitution—continue to threaten a resurgence of the epidemic in this country where MdM runs an HIV programme.
Despite relative stability and some economic growth, Tanzania has not been able to build sufficient capacity in the health system to be able to offer comprehensive HIV/AIDS care or to contain the epidemic. The MdM project focuses on caring for HIV-positive people, and includes a component dealing with prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV.
On the 8th August 2008, a Georgian military operation against South Ossetia led to open warfare between Georgia and their Russian neighbours. South Ossetia remained inaccessible to humanitarian aid workers during the conflict and the weeks that followed.
In the context of economic globalisation and trade liberalisation, Guatemala opened its doors to many ‘maquilas’ (textile factories). Women employed in these factories are deprived of access to healthcare and work in conditions which violate labour standards. MdM aims to improve the health of this vulnerable population.
Although there have been considerable advances in health policy, the implementation of the law on provision of the morning-after pill remains blocked because of strong cultural and religious barriers. MdM’s work in this context seeks to promote sexual and reproductive health in adolescents.