Profile: Artsen zonder Grenzen/Médecins Sans Frontières

You can achieve a lot with just a few things in countries where the health care system has collapsed, where people have to flee conflicts and violence, where people rarely have access to medical care. By running mobile clinics to care for people who would otherwise be deprived of medical assistance. By performing operations in hospitals that lack doctors and nurses. By treating people with – deadly - diseases such as malaria and tuberculosis. By providing care to pregnant women and in that way contributing to safe deliveries. And by offering people with HIV/AIDS hope about life by giving them antiretroviral drugs in countries where they are difficult to obtain.

What we do and what we stand for
We give emergency medical aid to victims of natural disasters, wars and epidemics. We treat the wounded and the sick and seek to prevent and control the outbreak of diseases. We take immediate action, our staff, medicines, surgical instruments, medical equipment, therapeutic feeding supplies, water tanks and pumps, blankets and other emergency relief goods can be where they are needed, when they are needed. We do it ourselves: we send in our own teams (doctors, nurses and other specialists) in order to be able to work as fast and efficiently as possible. We work together with local staff and treat our patients in hospitals, health centres and mobile clinics. When needed, we provide clean water and sanitary facilities. We go where others do not because we want to reach everyone who needs our help, including those living in – forgotten – crisis areas. Therefore, we often work in places where other relief organisations are not present.

In short
Médecins Sans Frontières (Artsen zonder Grenzen) is an independent, medical, emergency relief organisation that provides assistance to people worldwide. We do not let ourselves be influenced by political, religious or economic interests. We do not choose “sides” in a conflict, instead we focus on the victims of conflicts and violence. Our goal is to save lives and alleviate suffering, to reach the people who need help the most.

In 1999 Médecins Sans Frontières was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for its medical work as well as for its advocacy efforts on behalf of people and populations in danger. www.msf.org, www.artsenzondergrenzen.nl

“I want do something for people who need my help. I believe Médecins Sans Frontières is the organisation that really helps people in emergency situations. We often are the first present and stay as long as needed.”
Frank Garssen, MSF medical doctor in the Democratic Republic of Congo

Médecins Sans Frontières network
The Dutch organisation ‘Artsen zonder Grenzen’ is a member of the international organisation ‘Médecins Sans Frontières’; a network of nineteen sections, each based in a different country. The sections are independent, but work in close collaboration with one another.

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