In 2023, Medici Senza Frontiere (MSF) strengthened its commitment to providing essential medical and humanitarian assistance to migrants, refugees, and marginalized communities across Italy. Through a series of targeted initiatives, MSF addressed critical healthcare gaps, supported survivors of violence, and provided aid to those facing precarious conditions at key transit points.

Comprehensive Care for Survivors of Torture in Palermo

In Palermo, Sicily, MSF continued its collaboration with the University Hospital of Palermo, running an interdisciplinary clinic dedicated to migrants who had survived torture and intentional violence. The clinic provided medical, psychological, social, and legal support, treating an average of 76 patients throughout the year. Many of them had endured extreme abuse, particularly in Libya, and came from more than 20 countries, including Bangladesh, Côte d'Ivoire, Gambia, Cameroon, and Nigeria.

Emergency Response for Migrants in Transit

As part of its “People on the Move” project, MSF teams provided medical and psychological assistance to migrants in transit and informal settlements at key migration hubs:

• In Ventimiglia, Liguria, MSF worked alongside local organizations between February 2023 and January 2024, delivering primary health care, sexual and reproductive health services, psychological first aid, and socio-medical guidance to migrants stranded at the French border, many of whom faced forced returns and harsh living conditions.
• In Oulx (Piedmont) and Trieste (Friuli Venezia Giulia), MSF reinforced healthcare access by supporting civil society groups assisting migrants in transit.
• In Roccella Jonica, Calabria, MSF played a key role in the emergency response to migrant sea arrivals, assisting local authorities during 56 disembarkations in 2023. The team provided medical and psychological support to 5,486 people arriving from Turkey, Libya, and Lebanon.

Humanitarian Corridors: Evacuating Vulnerable People from Libya

MSF remained actively involved in Italy’s humanitarian corridors, facilitating the evacuation of vulnerable individuals from Libya. In 2023, the organization provided shelter and medical care to 25 evacuees, including 12 survivors of torture, who received specialized treatment at MSF’s clinic in Palermo.

Expanding Access to Healthcare for Marginalized Communities

The HOPE Project (Health Orientation, Promotion, and Education) continued to bridge healthcare gaps for both foreign and Italian vulnerable populations. With the help of nearly 100 volunteers, MSF expanded its network of support centers in 2023. In addition to its existing locations in Palermo, Turin, and Udine, MSF opened new centers in Rome and Naples, strengthening access to medical guidance and essential services.

Through its 2023 initiatives, MSF reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the rights and health of the most vulnerable, ensuring that migrants and marginalized communities in Italy received the care and support they urgently needed.