They have helped people infected with HIV/Aids in Africa get anti-retroviral (ARV) treatment to enable them to live longer, healthier and more productive lives. In shanty towns and city slums across the continent, MSF clinics are giving families a lifeline and allowing parents to spend a few more precious years raising their children.
For about four years MSF has been at the forefront of treating Aids in such peaceful but "resource-poor" settings - last year, with your help, we expanded treatment to include people in countries affected by fighting, such as the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Civilians in war zones need more than just ARVs, of course. In Burundi readers have supported care for the victims of sexual violence, sadly all too widespread. In Congo Brazzaville they have funded treatment for people infected with the fatal disease, sleeping sickness. In Colombia they have provided basic medical care in remote rural areas.
This year has not been all good news for MSF. In August, we made the difficult decision to stop working in Afghanistan, following the murder of five of our staff and accusations of spying by the Taliban.
In Iraq too, we decided that the risks to our humanitarian staff are too great for us to continue.
These withdrawals are a bitter reminder of the importance of true, and perceived, independence from military and political interests, particularly for our work in conflict zones. Financial independence is not a luxury, it is essential. It ensures that MSF can negotiate armed checkpoints and borders, to reach those most forgotten and at risk.
In Chechnya people who gave to the Christmas appeal are helping us to deliver medical supplies where there would otherwise be none. They have helped MSF to treat tuberculosis, a major killer in a population suffering from the deprivation caused by many years of war.
The 2003-4 Guardian appeal raised awareness about people so often overlooked, and has encouraged readers like you to help us continue to provide aid to people in great need around the world. All those who contributed - readers, writers and photographers - are a vital part of MSF's mission. Thank you.
