In parts of the world where our closest ties to armed conflict are only the death tolls and images we see online, how many of us fully understand the impact on those affected? Hundreds of thousands of migrants have attempted the treacherous journey across the Mediterranean Sea, risking death in hopes of better lives. Médecins Sans Frontières hospitals in Syria and Afghanistan have been demolished by airstrikes and bombings, forcing MSF to pull out of dangerous zones. While politicians worldwide debate the consequences of admitting refugees, international medical aid continues to be targeted and thwarted in war-torn regions, leaving people without aid. How do victims of armed conflicts access necessary healthcare when those dedicated to impartial humanitarian assistance have no choice but to withdraw from the most hazardous regions?

The Journal of Global Health at Columbia University, Vol. 6 No. 1 (2016): Spring 2016