MEDECINS SANS FRONTIERES (MSF)

Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) Public Relations Plan

Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) Public Relations Plan

When a natural or a man-made disaster strikes a developing country, death and disease is often compounded by a lack of adequate medical care. In many war-torn countries, animosity is so great between warring factions that medical care is often denied to those in need because of their religion, ethnic identity, or political affiliations. In such cases, who will help the helpless? In 1971, a group of concerned physicians established Doctors Without Borders/Medecins Sans Frontiers (MSF), to provide emergency assistance wherever wars and man-made disasters occur. Since then, MSF has grown into the world's largest independent international medical relief agency, aiding victims of epidemics, armed conflict, and natural and man-made disasters in more than 80 countries through the efforts of more than 2,000 volunteers representing over 45 nationalities. Additionally, MSF is often called upon to provide assistance to individuals who lack health care due to geographic remoteness or ethnic marginalization. (Zwi 2004:15-16)

The MSF Charter

MSF dispenses relief efforts in strict accordance to the principles outlined in the organization's charter: (McCall 1999:35-59)

Doctors Without Borders observes strict neutrality and impartiality in the name of universal medical ethics and the right to humanitarian assistance, and demands full and unhindered freedom in the exercise of its functions.

Doctors Without Borders offers assistance to populations in distress, to victims of natural or man-made disasters and to victims of armed conflict, without discrimination and irrespective of race, religion, creed or political affiliation.

Doctors Without Borders' volunteers undertake to respect their professional code of ethics and to maintain complete independence from all political, economic and religious powers.

As volunteers, members are aware of the risks and dangers of the missions they undertake and have no right to compensation for themselves or their beneficiaries other than that which Doctors Without Borders is able to Afford them. Additionally, MSF asserts its identity as a completely independent, nonprofit, international humanitarian organization. The organization is able to maintain flexibility and independence in its choice of operations thanks to its reliance on private donors. While MSF remains neutral in all conflicts, the organization states, “When medical assistance is not enough to save lives, Doctors Without Borders will speak out against human rights abuses and violations of humanitarian law that its teams witness in the course of providing medical relief.” (Bortolotti 2004:13-24)



MSF Procedure

The primary goal of the MSF is to provide aid promptly and efficiently, following a proven method and well-defined objectives. To accomplish this, the MSF continually seeks information about countries facing emergency situations or potential conflict. Media reports and close cooperation with other organizations on local, national, and international levels help the MSF assess potential situations. An exploratory team is dispatched to the region in question to consult with local experts and to witness the situation first-hand. The exploratory team then reports to the MSF headquarters as to whether the situation merits action. MSF maintains strict mission criteria, which it briefly outlines on the ...