(ATHENS) – Two interns from the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF), Valentina and Maria, recently attended an event hosted by Médecins Sans Frontières Greece (MSF Greece) titled Voices from the Field, where they heard firsthand accounts of humanitarian work from medical professionals returning from emergency missions including operations in South Sudan.
The event offered a unique perspective into the day to day realities of MSF Greece workers serving in some of the world’s most dangerous and under resourced areas. The panel featured doctors and staff who had recently returned from assignments, providing insight into the life saving yet demanding nature of humanitarian missions.
Of particular focus was South Sudan, one of the countries where MSF Greece continues to operate despite extreme risks. The country has been deeply affected by violent conflict and displacement, both from internal instability and the ongoing war in neighbouring Sudan, which has displaced nearly 13 million people across the region.
The situation is particularly dire for South Sudanese communities near the border who are now hosting large numbers of Sudanese refugees. Women and children make up the majority of those living in overcrowded camps with little to no access to health services. Many health centres are non-functional or inaccessible due to security risks, leaving Médecins Sans Frontières among the few organisations able to provide emergency medical care in these areas.
At the event, the interns observed medical tools commonly used in field settings, including rapid test kits for HIV and hepatitis, and the Mid-Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) tape, a simple but vital device used to detect severe malnutrition in children, a condition widespread in South Sudan’s refugee communities.
MSF Greece, supported by SNF since 1999, continues to provide vital services in South Sudan, including emergency surgery, trauma care, maternal health services, and treatment for infectious diseases such as cholera and measles. These diseases are spreading rapidly in crowded camps and among displaced communities lacking basic vaccinations and clean water.
Panelists shared powerful stories of setting up hospitals from scratch under harsh conditions, treating victims of conflict, and witnessing both suffering and resilience among displaced populations. They agreed that without MSF’s presence, many communities in South Sudan would have little or no access to healthcare, especially in emergencies.
The SNF interns expressed deep respect for the work being done, calling the testimonies both humbling and motivating. They emphasised the need for continued global support to sustain humanitarian operations in war-affected areas like South Sudan.
