Doctors Without Borders Close Russian Programs After Ministry Excludes Their Office

Doctors Without Borders, the international humanitarian organization specializing in medical aid in conflict zones, announced on September 16 that it will be closing its programs in Russia.

Operating in Russia since 1992, Doctors Without Borders has spent 32 years addressing tuberculosis and HIV, aiding the homeless, and providing humanitarian assistance in Chechnya, Ingushetia, and Dagestan.

The closure follows an August decision by the Russian Justice Ministry to remove the affiliate office of the non-profit association "Doctors Without Borders" (Netherlands) from the register of foreign NGO affiliates and representative offices, according to the statement.

"It is with a heavy heart that we have to close our activities in Russia. Our organization's work is guided by independence, impartiality, neutrality, and medical ethics. We provide assistance based on the needs," said Yashovardhan, head of the Russian programs.

Russia’s Justice Ministry did not provide a reason for excluding the organization’s branch.

During the full-scale invasion, Doctors Without Borders assisted Russian citizens “affected by Moscow's war in Ukraine,” as well Ukrainians “who crossed into Russia from Ukraine.”

As of December 2023, nearly 1.3 million displaced Ukrainians were registered in Russia, with the UN expressing concerns over their legal status, rights, and access to services. Amnesty International's research indicated that many displaced Ukrainians end up in Russia or Russia-occupied territories involuntarily.

The organization carried out its work in partnership with local NGOs in the Belgorod and Rostov regions of southern Russia.

As of September 15, 2024, the register lists only two branches of the organization: "Doctors Without Borders" (Belgium) and "Doctors Without Borders" (France). The Belgian branch was removed in 2009, while the French branch, listed in 2006, has not been removed. The "Doctors Without Borders" (Netherlands) affiliate was deregistered in July 2024.

"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 them. Doctors Without Borders would like to still work in Russia again, if and when possible," said Norman Sitali, operations manager responsible for programs in Russia.