During Mission
Upon arrival in the field
As soon as you arrive in the mission country, you will be offered a personalized health meeting by the Medical Coordinator (MedCo) or a designated person (Deputy MedCo or Assistant). This meeting aims to provide all relevant information on the medical risks related to the project, the precautions to take, and the procedure to follow in case of a health problem or accident.
During this meeting, your health status will be reviewed to enable appropriate medical follow-up throughout your mission if needed. The information provided through the medical form will be kept only for the duration of your assignment and will be accessible exclusively to medical staff, with strict confidentiality.
Roles and Responsibilities
Medical Coordinator
In MSF missions, the medical coordination ensures overall supervision of staff health policy. This person:
Assesses health risks specific to intervention areas,
Analyses local healthcare resources and transportation options,
Implements the necessary prevention and safety measures to protect staff health.
The medical coordinator is informed of any health incident to ensure proper care. Day-to-day medical follow-up in the field is usually handled by the dedicated focal point.
International Mobile Staff
As a MSF staff member, even during rest periods, you remain under the responsibility of your employer. You are responsible for:
Following the health advice provided,
Applying prevention measures,
Following the treatments or recommendations given by MSF.
*Image generated using ChatGPT
Prolonged, poorly managed stress can lead to emotional and physical exhaustion with potential long term sick-leave (Prevention is better than cure!). Stay alert to early warning signs: increased fatigue, irritability, negative thoughts, unusual behaviors
In case of illness or accident
Illness
If you fall sick, you must inform the person responsible for staff health.
Depending on the situation and available medical resources, you will either be treated at field level or referred to the capital for better care, or another location, eventually a third country depending on the problem.
In all cases, you must regularly share updates on your health status.
Accident
The management of an accident follows the same principles as for illness. The concerned staff must consult a doctor, even if the injury seems minor, and depending on the circumstances it could be required to fill out an accident declaration which will be shared if needed with the insurance company.
Insurance
When you are contracted by MSF, you are automatically insured from the first day of contract. Please read well the insurance leaflet to know the coverage, the restrictions and the reimbursement processes.
Medical Evacuation
Breaks
After three months on mission, you are entitled to one week of rest. This recovery time is essential to maintain your energy and health. It is therefore not recommended to plan tiring holidays (hiking, extreme sports, etc.).
During your rest and leave you are covered by ISOS and by the medical insurance worldwide (Except in the USA). Only emergencies are covered if you are outside the mission country and your country of residence during breaks, and during trainings held outside the mission country during the assignment. Please note it is not the case if you take your leave after your mission.
Accidents resulting from high-risk activities (skydiving, jet skiing, etc.) during your break are not covered by MSF insurance.
Avoid accumulating your leave over six months: it is important to maintain your physical and mental balance regularly.
Remarks: According missions, leave rules could be different
Mental Health during Mission
Life in an MSF mission can be intense.
Long days, pressure, cultural differences, difficult decisions, and limited resources can affect anyone.
You may notice tiredness, irritability, sleep problems, or emotional ups and downs. These are common and often temporary.
Stress reactions are normal in this environment.
They do not mean you are weak or not coping.
Peer support is one of the strongest protective factors in the field.
Talk with colleagues you trust. Check in on each other — especially after difficult events.
Supporting others also helps strengthen your own resilience.
Seek Support Early
Sometimes, self‑care and peer support are not enough.
If stress reactions are intense, persistent, or affecting your work or relationships — it's important to seek help early.
Reach out to colleagues, managers, or directly with SHU Psychologist when needed.
Reaching out is a responsible step — not a sign of weakness.
BURNOUT: Prevention & Management
Self-assessing your mental health
Practical Coping Strategies in the Field
Small, practical actions can make a big difference.
Protect your rest time whenever possible.
Keep routines where you can — sleep, meals, and hydration matter.
Use simple management tools:
Slow breathing or grounding exercises
Short pauses between tasks
Physical movement, even brief walks
Create boundaries between work and rest — mentally and physically.
This tool can help you self-assess your mental health.