After several attempts to reach the restricted areas in order to provide medical and humanitarian aid during the past three months, Doctors Without Borders is forced to withdraw its emergency teams on the border between Poland and Belarus after repeated denials by the Polish authorities, which leaves asylum seekers at the border without the slightest care Medical, humanitarian, and at sub-zero temperatures.
"Doctors Without Borders expresses its deep concern about the policies of the European Union countries, which have contributed to the exacerbation of the current humanitarian crisis on the borders of Belarus with the European Union countries, and which contribute to an increase in the number of more innocent people from migrants and asylum seekers and create unsafe conditions for these people at its borders.”
And it considered that the current situation is unacceptable and inhumane, as people have the right to seek asylum and safety, and in no way may they be forced to return to Belarus.
With the temperatures continuing to drop dramatically this winter, the lives of more asylum seekers are in great danger as the non-governmental humanitarian relief agencies are not able to deliver basic services such as food, drink and warm winter clothes.
Despite the decision to withdraw its emergency teams from the Polish border, MSF continues to operate in Poland and is currently setting up its office in the capital, Warsaw.
It also continues to cover the humanitarian needs resulting from the humanitarian crisis on the border between Lithuania and Belarus.
Since June last year, thousands of Middle Eastern countries have been trying to reach EU countries across borders from Belarus to Poland, Lithuania and Latvia.
Poland declared states of emergency on its borders with the massive deployment of the Polish army on the border strip and the intensification of building barriers to prevent asylum seekers and migrants to cross.
During the past months, the Polish army has been trying to force asylum seekers to return to Belarus by force.
At least 21 people lost their lives in 2021 while trying to cross the border.