HUMANE CHARITY SPOTLIGHT

Doctors Without Borders

The New Year is a time when many resolve to improve their health and well-being. Unfortunately, not everyone can make that commitment. People in countries threatened by conflict, epidemics, malnutrition, or natural disasters struggle to survive each day. Thankfully, Doctors Without Borders—known by most of the world as Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) since its formation in 1971 by a small group of French physicians and journalists—has been working tirelessly to provide vital assistance to people in need worldwide.

Every day, more than 27,000 MSF physicians and medical professionals provide care to those in need. Some of these professionals risk their own lives in order to assist in countries plagued by armed conflict, providing all levels of aid to those who have been injured by violence or who have been cut off from medical care. MSF runs mobile clinics, vaccination campaigns, performs surgeries, rehabilitates hospitals, and provides basic necessities such as food and clean water.

Quick response is necessary when dealing with epidemics and natural disasters, and MSF is often first on the ground to provide care to victims and prevent the spread of disease. MSF takes action during epidemic outbreaks of cholera, meningitis, measles, malaria, and other dangerous diseases, and promotes widespread vaccination to prevent future outbreaks. After natural disasters, MSF tends to the wounded and ill.

In addition to providing direct support to people in crises, MSF raises awareness of hidden atrocities, challenges policies that restrict health care access, and calls for increased humanitarian aid. Recently, MSF has helped increase scrutiny of availability of HIV/AIDS medicines in Third World countries and has advocated for a better response to child malnutrition.

Human data is extremely valuable for learning how to prevent and treat disease, and MSF conducts epidemiological studies at its field sites to gain understanding of people’s medical and nutritional needs. This ethical research, published in top peer-reviewed journals, helps streamline medical care, treatments, and protocols.

Each year, MSF’s physicians and medical professionals provide lifesaving care to millions of people around the globe. This New Year, learn more about Doctors Without Borders by visiting www.DoctorsWithoutBorders.org.

Humane Charity Spotlight Archive