Doctors
Without Borders
D
octors Without Borders, or Médicins Sans Frontiers (MSF) as it’s known in its native French, was created in 1971 as an international medical humanitarian organization. Providing impartial, independent assistance to more than 60 countries, the organization pays special attention to people threatened by violence, neglect, catastrophe, armed conflict, malnutrition, epidemics, or natural disaster. MSF operates under the principles of medical ethics, drawing no influence from political, military, or religious agendas, a standard that has encouraged more than 27,000 individuals worldwide to volunteer with MSF on a daily basis. MSF has provided notable aid during the 1994 Rwandan genocide, the 1998 Russian military bombardment of the capital of Chechnya, and in 1999 received the Nobel Peace Prize for its efforts.
“To me, the most important aspect of Doctors Without Borders is that they are a neutral, nongovernmental organization. They help people based on need, rather than politics.” victoria martins, writing, literature, and publishing 2015
Visit doctorswithoutborders.org to learn about this globe-spanning volunteer effort, and either donate online, apply to be an intern in their New York City office, or plan a Médicins Sans Frontiers fundraiser to support those in need.