Program Unit

The Program Department in Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) Norway supports operations by providing expertise in areas such as inclusion of people with disabilities, environmental health, emergency desk staff support, methanol poisoning and maritime operations. 

The department provides knowledge of MSF programs and policies and advocates and influences debates with other Norwegian actors involved in medical and humanitarian work, including the Norwegian government. 

Maritime support

Norway provides maritime support to MSF operations in various countries. MSF uses boats to reach areas that are not reachable by road. Particularly during rainy seasons, flooding and after natural disasters. MSF has also been conducting search and rescue operations in the Mediterranean since 2015. Since May 2021, MSF has rescued hundreds of people with the Norwegian ship Geo Barents. MSF Norway provides maritime support in areas such as procurement, certifications, trainings, maintenance, safety and standard operating procedures. 

For more information please contact: Jack Herheim, interim Head of Program Support in MSF Norway and Maritime Advisor. 

Inclusion of persons with disabilities

MSF Norway works together with West Africa-Central Africa operational center to improve and ensure inclusion of patients with disabilities in our projects. It focuses on applying accessibility and universal design in our medical structures, accessibility of our communication, awareness raising in the organization, training of MSF employees and inclusive recruitment. Most materials produced are accessible in French, English and Arabic. 

For more information please contact: Patrice Vastel, Coordinator Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities.

Environmental health

Environmental health is a branch of public health that includes water supply, waste management, vector control, air quality management, biosafety, chemical threats and human remains management. The goal of environmental health activities in MSF programmes is to provide a safe environment for patients and staff while minimizing negative effects of our activities. The environmental health referent hosted in MSF Norway focuses mostly on supporting water, sanitation and waste management infrastructure of MSF hospitals.  

For more information please contact: Michalis Papageorgiou, Environmental Health/ Water Supply and Sanitation techniques referent.