Doctors Without Borders

Doctors Without Borders
have about 1000 paid employees, with about another 2000 people hired annually for specific jobs, and a great deal more volunteers.

Establishment

Doctors Without Borders was established in 1971 by a group of French doctors that had worked in Biafra with the Red Cross. These doctors felt that the Red Cross did a terrible job with the Nigerian Civil War. There was a need for a new aid organization that had no political or religious ties. An organization without these “borders” would be freer to help people in need.

First Mission

On December 23, 1972 there was a major earthquake in Managua, Nicaragua. This earthquake killed between 10,000 and 30,000 people. Médecins Sans Frontières sprang into action and quickly set up a relief effort in the area. This was their first mission, and from this point on they never looked back.

Problems in Afghanistan

In recent years MSF had a project that tried to help people in need in Afghanistan. They were forced to pull out because they felt that it was too dangerous to stay in the area. This decision was made after five of their staff members were murdered during a turf war. It was the worst tragedy in the history of the organization. Doctors Without Borders were forced to pull out all 1400 volunteers and staff from Afghanistan and basically abandon the relief work they were doing.

Controversy

Although Médecins Sans Frontières is a very beneficial organization, MSF still has many problems. Although they claim to have no government ties, nearly 20% of all of their donations come from the government. This often creates problems, especially in war torn areas. Often times, the area isn’t open to the help of MSF because of their ties to America and other European countries (which is what happened in Afghanistan). The workers and volunteers of Doctors Without Borders often get into trouble and have to call on the government for support.