Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF), commonly referred to as Doctors Without Borders, held a protest outside the UN headquarters in Geneva today in an effort to draw attention to how Gaza’s current humanitarian aid distribution system contributes to civilian deaths and suffering, according to MSF. The demonstration involved approximately 100 staff members of MSF who took part. They rallied together against what MSF believes to be its fatal flaw – its current humanitarian aid distribution system which they assert contributes to civilian deaths and suffering.
Protesters were outraged over recent incidents where Palestinians were killed or injured while seeking food aid from Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a private organization responsible for distribution. MSF Switzerland condemned GHF for creating chaotic and dangerous conditions at distribution sites; Stephen Cornish, Director General of MSF Switzerland stated, “People deserve basic needs with dignity… If someone’s fearing for their life while running with packages being run over this is beyond anything we have seen before. ” (Sources: En.wikipedia.org + Reuters + 4 [reuters + 4], de.wikipedia.org + 4 (source).
MSF doctors in Gaza have reached such desperation that they have begun donating blood themselves as too many Palestinians are too malnourished to donate on their own. Over 100 Palestinians have died while seeking food aid recently; nearly 500 more were wounded as they tried to access it – see for more info: www.usnews.com, reuters.com and tbsnews.net (USNews), Reuters.com (+2), and TBSNews(NET).
MSF Switzerland President Reveka Papadopoulou stressed the need for impartial humanitarian aid: stating “Military aid is not humanitarian assistance”.
GHF, established in February 2025 with funding from both U.S. and Israeli governments, has come under fire for its approach to aid distribution. Methods employed by this foundation, including its use of facial recognition technology to screen recipients for aid, have raised concerns about militarization and politicization of humanitarian assistance; such practices have also raised allegations that violate humanitarian principles, leading to forced displacement. de.wikipedia.org +2
As Gaza’s humanitarian crisis worsens, MSF remains committed to safeguarding civilians and providing impartial aid. MSF calls upon international actors to take immediate steps so as to ensure humanitarian assistance is delivered safely and without further harm being caused.