ABSTRACT
Physical trauma is a leading cause of global mortality, with natural disasters and armed conflicts contributing significantly [1, 2]. As the latter most often occur in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs), it follows that these settings have the highest related trauma burden [3-6]. Many trauma cases require surgical intervention, particularly orthopaedic surgery. However, LMICs often lack the surgical capacity to meet these needs and thus there is a reliance on external actors. Médecins sans Frontières (MSF), an international, independent,
humanitarian medical organisation, provides medical assistance to vulnerable populations, including those affected by natural disasters and conflicts. Surgical care is an integral part of its work, and over the last 40 years, MSF has provided surgical care in natural disaster and conflict settings in more than 70 countries. Orthopaedic surgery (i.e. surgical treatment of injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system) constitutes a large part of this care.
