It’s been a month… already? :0
We decided to publish this issue a month after the first one because most of the committee are in exam season (good luck!). Moving forwards, the newsletter will deliver you new issues minimum once a month but we may decide to publish some in between depending on how frequent we plan events for everyone! After all, it is called “MSF Monthly” 😁.
Halloween is over - Christmas season is approaching fast (already here?) → why not buy Christmas Cards from MSF?
Monthly Recap
This new section is here to stay - as the name suggests, it will summarise and provide highlights of any events or fundraisers we organised over the past month!
The Newsletter
The first issue of this newsletter was published exactly a month ago - on October 10th - and thank you so much for 100 subscribers! I truly didn’t expect it to be this well received and hope you guys all enjoyed the first issue (and actually read it 🤨). Also, Substack reported 700+ views over the past 30 days at one point, how many times are you guys opening it?? 🤣
Can we get much higher reach 150 subscribers by 2025 🙌 (man I sound like a YouTuber…). We will get there with YOUR help - just forward this email around will you? To people who are interested, of course 🙃.
Chai and Board Games Night - Thursday 17th October
A massive success with a great turnout just like last year - we raised £112 thanks to all of you who showed up and donated 🫶. All money raised goes towards supporting the local refugee Red Sea Football Club. I got to play (mini) Carrom Board (iykyk) - it was such a throwback to my younger years!
Here are some photos! (I tried to include everyone) 📸
Our president (bottom left image, centre) - Rhea Chopra 🥳
Our education officers/authors of this newsletter (bottom right image, centre) - Nishant (left) and Yasir (right, poised with the striker 😂)
P.S. the chai was amazing 😋
MSF Now
News Spotlight #1 - A Year of War in Gaza
More than 1 year has passed since the start (7 October 2023) of this current conflict involving Palestine and Israel - here are some statistics from MSF regarding Israel’s war on Gaza:
42,000 killed, 96,000 injured and >1.9 million (90% of Gaza’s population) displaced from their homes
27,546 people treated for physical violence, 7,510 surgical interventions - both by MSF
What do these numbers mean though? → perhaps you noticed that whilst almost 100,000 people were injured, only a bit less than 30,000 were treated for physical violence. This situation in Gaza highlights one of many issues MSF faces around the globe - achieving access to essential healthcare services where most needed. Today, only 17 out of 36 hospitals in Gaza are even partially functional (many hospitals are attacked). MSF are struggling due to geopolitical barriers, a lack of staff and now more than ever - a lack of funding (which is where you can come in!).
“Our teams there supported the emergency and ICU departments to care for patients through multiple major mass casualty incidents a day – in my hospital in the UK we might not see one in a year.” - Dr Chris Hook, MSF emergency medicine specialist
And it doesn’t stop there - there was a spike in diarrhoeal illnesses reported among children under 5, a rapid rise in mental trauma and demand for maternity services.
More numbers and the full story can be found 👉 here 👈
News Spotlight #2 - Treating Open Wounds in Tulkarem
In the Nur Shams refugee camp in West Bank, Palestine, MSF is offering critical “Stop the Bleeding” training for local women. With limited access to medical services due to blocked roads, delayed ambulances, and restricted movement, these skills enable community members to respond to emergencies in an area where military raids by Israeli forces are becoming increasingly frequent, and blocking access to health care is part of the modus operandi (a way of doing something - I searched it up for you).
“During raids, it's extremely difficult for ambulances to reach the scene, that’s why everyone in the camp needs to have some knowledge of first aid.”
The context is tense; as violence from Israeli military raids intensifies in the area, including the use of airstrikes in densely populated regions. In early October, an airstrike in a Tulkarem refugee camp (not in Gaza) killed 18 people. Families are left in a cycle of repairing damages from past raids while fearing the next one.
In addition to practical training, MSF provides psychological support, addressing the profound mental health impact of this ongoing violence. For residents, particularly children, fear and insecurity have become ingrained in daily life, leaving emotional scars that are harder to heal than physical wounds. The psychological wounds are deep - mending them takes more time than applying pressure or tightening a tourniquet.
Read the full story 👉 here 👈
News Spotlight #3 - How Music Therapy Improves Mental Health (South Sudan)
Time to address an aspect of health often overlooked in today’s society (but becoming more and more recognised) - mental health! Yes, MSF also provide mental health services, and one wonderful modus operandi (probably not the right way to use it) is music therapy!
In South Sudan, MSF receives many patients with PTSD, depression and post-partum depression. Often, there is no clear answer or treatment for these conditions, but it is in those times where simpler things like music might offer a solution! Many of us are privileged to enjoy and listen to music and sometimes, I think we take it for granted. Meanwhile, most of the indigenous Sudanese population have never had the chance to experience music outside their confined villages.
MSF took this as an opportunity to dispatch teams dedicated to play and share music around South Sudan (with dance and singing) - with the goal to alleviate anxiety and improve overall moods. To their delight, the response was unanimous - individuals found that music instilled hope and helped build self-trust and self-esteem.
Since primary health care services are limited, mental health services such as this are even more scarce, but equally necessary for the holistic wellbeing that we all are privileged to have. Hopefully, this snippet has reinforced MSF’s need for more support ⛑️.
Read the full story 👉 here 👈
Story of the Month
MSF Orthopaedic Surgeon Detained by Israeli Forces
Dr Mohammed Obeid, an MSF orthopaedic surgeon, was detained by Israeli forces during a military operation at Kamal Adwan hospital in north Gaza on October 26, along with several other medical staff. MSF expressed deep concern over his detention, as Dr. Obeid has been providing essential surgical care to patients across Gaza since the conflict began, saving countless lives under extremely difficult conditions.
MSF’s last contact with Dr. Obeid was on October 25, when he was sheltering at Kamal Adwan hospital and continuing his surgical work. MSF has formally requested information from Israeli authorities on his detention, location, and wellbeing, and urges the protection and safety of all medical staff in Gaza, who are risking their lives to provide vital care amid ongoing violence.
Many MSF and humanitarian staff have been killed, from drivers to doctors to lab technicians; protection must be guaranteed for these workers.
Read the full story 👉 here 👈
Upcoming Events
Now that you know a bit more about what MSF is doing at the moment, you want to support them - but how? That’s why we have a lot of new events planned for you guys this coming month 🔥 - bring your friends along :)
Remember - You can’t spell fundraising without fun.
And a special thank you to those who voted on the poll in the last issue!
Movie Screening Fundraiser [NEW] - The Swimmers (2022)
Date → 25th November (look out for updates on Instagram!)
Venue → Hallward Library
Pub Trip
Date → 28th November (look out for updates on Instagram!)
Venue → Rose and Crown
Pottery Painting Fundraiser [NEW]
Date → Week commencing 2nd December (exact date TBC - vote on GC poll)
Venue → TBC
Christmas Fun Run
Date → Week commencing 9th December (exact date TBC - vote on GC poll)
Venue → TBC
Speaker Event - MSF Doctor from Afghanistan
Date and Venue → TBC
*details for venue will be revealed on Instagram
**unless specified otherwise, fundraised money will be for MSF.
Non-FoMSF Events - Wanna Get Even More Involved?
Wings for Life World Run - Charity Run
Registrations for the 2025 global fundraiser run are now OPEN! I ran with 250k+ people around the world at the same time last year and it was a great experience, all money raised goes towards advancing spinal cord research. Since you’re (probably) a student from UoN, you should get a chance to apply for a free ticket (the money is still paid on your behalf by the university) and a free Red Bull Wings for Life t-shirt!
If you register by 31st December, adidas will hook you up with a free 6-month premium membership for the adidas Running App! Sign up here.
Date → 4th May 2025, 12pm GMT
Venue → David Ross Sports Village, University of Nottingham
IMAN Voices From Gaza: A Medical Lens
Date → Tuesday, 12th November
Venue → LT G16, Sir Alexander Fleming Building, Imperial College London
Details on how to sign up → Check IMAN’s Instagram (bio)
Socials
Remember, “independence, neutrality and impartiality” ~ Nishant and Yasir
See you in the next one! 🩺