The Challenges Facing Medicins Sans Frontieres
Medicins Sans Frontieres (or MSF) is one of the Worlds leading humanitarian organisations for Medical aid. Set up more than 30 years ago, ‘Doctors without Borders’ provides medical assistance to populations in distress, and victims of natural, or man made disasters, such as drought famine, flood or civil war. Their ideology is based on the principles of independence, neutrality and impartiality. Winner of The Nobel Peace Prize in 1999, MSF remains apolitical, in an era where politicians increasingly use ‘humanitarian actions’ as a tool, especially in the war against terror. Ollie Abraham spoke to Dr Nick Wood, Paediatrician and Vice President of MSF Australia. She began by asking him about the concept of independence, Sarah Elliott, Medical Director Of MSF Sierra Leone.