Comments on: Médecins Sans Frontières at work around the world

By: Rosalind Bruse

Rosalind Bruse — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 05:59:37 +0000

Thanks for sharing this one!

By: Pav

Pav — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 07:09:00 +0000

I’m so glad to have found this page on Doctors Without Borders. My pal mentioned it to me before, yet never got around to checking it out until now. I really enjoyed reading through all your other posts and will absolutely be back to get more.

By: Carolyn Thomas

Carolyn Thomas — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 17:04:28 +0000

I too have been increasingly concerned about recent R.C. news. The American Red Cross in particular has garnered embarrassing headlines like this story in the New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2001/11/07/nyregion/a-nation-challenged-the-charities-in-congress-harsh-words-for-red-cross.html

By: B.Tunney

B.Tunney — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 18:24:31 +0000

This is exactly why I no longer support the Red Cross. Those scandals following 9/11 and Katrina resulted in senior R.C. execs being fired for inappropriate use of donated funds. I want my donations to support front line experts in the field – not some overpaid Red Cross bureaucrat who gets a $2 million severance package after being fired.

By: Carolyn Thomas

Carolyn Thomas — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 03:03:23 +0000

Thanks for this, Tarang.

By: Carolyn Thomas

Carolyn Thomas — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 03:01:56 +0000

Thanks, Armandina!

By: Tarang

Tarang — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 02:41:58 +0000

I recently decided to donate to help Haiti’s disaster. I pray that everyone send money to those left homeless by Haiti’s disaster, too.

By: Armandina Mathieson

Armandina Mathieson — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 02:03:06 +0000

Besides donating my own money to Haiti, I will continue to pray for them. Lifting everything up to Heaven for them.

By: Carolyn Thomas

Carolyn Thomas — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 15:04:51 +0000

Thanks, Shellie – it’s good to get an insider’s perspective about the inner workings of any aid agency. Continued good luck to your sister.

By: Shellie

Shellie — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 22:05:57 +0000

My sister has volunteered for Doctors Without Borders for two years and three different deployments.

The stories she brings home are truly moving and horrific, yet she feels the work is so important that she continues to plan her time off each year to be able to do this work. I can tell you from firsthand experience with our own family that this is a lean, well-managed organization filled with incredibly dedicated doctors, nurses, and other trained volunteers.

I urge all your readers to give generously.

By: Carolyn Thomas

Carolyn Thomas — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 05:23:11 +0000

You’re right, Riva. Those of us who are unable to volunteer can help a lot by making a donation. Those of us who are unable to make a donation can help by telling everybody we know about the work of MSF.

By: Carolyn Thomas

Carolyn Thomas — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 05:20:07 +0000

I agree, Chris – MSF’s independence from political or religious influence is very appealing, as well as the fact that they have a very specific and dedicated focus on medical aid that doesn’t just stop when the initial media fuss ends, but continues with medium- and long-range strategic plans for ongoing health care.

By: Riva

Riva — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 07:22:07 +0000

Excellent reminder here. Many thanks for this. There are many ways to help.

By: Chris

Chris — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 19:48:56 +0000

Wow, I had no idea about MSF until I read this today.

This organization is incredible. I encourage your readers to check out their MSF website.

I think their independence is a particularly important factor (no political or religious agenda) plus they’ve actually been in Haiti working for almost 20 years so they already know the country, the culture, the people; many other agencies parachute in at times like these, well meaning but not necessarily the most effective at getting supplies and help directly to those most in need.

Since Katrina and 9/11 and subsequent confusion about ‘what happened to all that money that poured in?’ it can be hard to decide which agencies to support. Thanks for letting us know about this most worthwhile one.