Doctors Without Borders (MSF) has announced it is ceasing operations in Russia, following a recent decision by the Russian justice ministry to remove the organization from its list of approved foreign entities. This marks the end of a 32-year presence in the country.
The announcement came after MSF received a letter from the Russian justice ministry last month, officially removing the Dutch branch of the charity from the register of foreign NGOs. As this was the only active MSF association in Russia, the decision effectively concludes the group’s operations there.
MSF’s departure follows a broader trend of Western-funded charities and non-governmental organizations halting their activities in Russia since the country’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Previous targets include Greenpeace, Transparency International, and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), all of which were labeled “undesirable” by Russian authorities.
In a statement, MSF expressed its disappointment: “It is with a heavy heart that we have to close our activities in Russia,” said Maria Borscheva, MSF spokeswoman. “We have overseen numerous programs in the country since 1992, providing critical medical and humanitarian support.”
Norman Sitali, MSF’s operations manager in Russia, added, “We are very sad to conclude our programs in the country as many people in need of medical and humanitarian assistance will now be left without the support we could have provided.” He noted that the organization had offered aid to over 52,000 refugees and displaced persons since the conflict with Ukraine began, with more than 15,400 receiving medical and psychosocial support.
Despite the closure, MSF expressed hope for future engagement in Russia if conditions change. “MSF would like to still work in Russia again, if and when possible,” Sitali concluded.
For now, the organization will focus on terminating staff contracts and complying with legal requirements as it wraps up its activities in the country.
