Doctors Without Borders
Médicos Sin Fronteras

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), which means "Doctors Without Borders", was established in 1971. It is now the world's largest independent organization that provides emergency medical relief. The aim of the organization is to help people who have suffered badly in wars or natural disasters, such as earthquakes or floods.

Each year. about 3,000 people are sent abroad to work in over seventy different countries worldwide. MSF relies on volunteer professionals but also works closely with local professionals; in most projects, there are seven local staff members to every one foreigner. Volunteers are paid about $800 a month and receive travel expenses. They usually work for nine months to a year on a project and then go home; however, about 50% of volunteers go on more than one mission. One volunteer reports, "Working in politically sensitive areas with limited resources can be frustrating, but there is huge satisfaction in making even a small or temporary difference to people. What better recommendation than to say I'm about to leave on a third mission!".

What qualities and skills do you need to become a volunteer? You have to be able to deal with stress, and you need to be able to work independently as well as in a team. You are not required, however, to have medical qualifications. Besides medical professionals, MSF needs the skilled support of technical staff such as building engineers and food experts.

The reaction of volunteers returning from MSF speaks for itself. "One of my biggest challenges was organizing a team to open a new hospital in a town that had had no medical care for three years," one volunteer said. This volunteer concluded that the project was a success for two reasons: the reduction of deaths and the fact that the local people were so thankful. Another volunteer says, "With MSF, I have had the chance to travel and test my skills to the limits both professionally and personally. The rewards can be enormous."