Officially founded in December, 1971, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) or Doctors
Without Borders began as a group of 300 volunteer medical professionals – nurses, doctors, others; and led by its founding leadership of 13 doctors and journalists. Its mission: “MSF was created on the belief that all people have the right to medical care regardless of gender, race, religion, creed, or political affiliation, and that the needs of these people outweigh respect for national boundaries.” (Doctorswithoutborders.org, N.D.). MSF’s establishment grew out of the desire by a couple of its key founding members- journalists Raymond Borel and Philippe
Bernier, to have a team of medical doctors able to provide support to victims of large scale
disasters
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Natural disasters – Global warming has increased the frequency of natural distasters such as super storms, earthquakes, and tsunamis. MSF provides support in areas where thousands of people experience displacement, injury, trauma, and the loss of family, friends and support structure. In 2013, MSF was instrumental in providing relief to Filipinos affected by superstorm
Haiyan, providing medical care and emergency support. Such support resulted in a new fully furnished and equipped hospital that has since been managed and run by the local provincial health agency. (Doctorswithoutborders.org, 2014).
c. Neglected people – MSF also focuses on persons who are not as visible but require just as necessary support and relief. People such as street children, prisoners, sex workers, drug addicts, or some segments of the mentally ill population often are marginalized and forgotten. In this way, MSF provides a lifeline for many who may otherwise not be able to access resources to obtain healthcare and services for well-being.
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d. Refugees and internally displaced people or IDPs – There are currently millions of refugees and internally displaced people in limbo due to conflicts or persecution in their home