The biggest humanitarian crisis of the 21st century
Kattrin Lempp, Head of Communication for the German “Doctors without borders”, says the organization tried to get the media attention on the Darfur crisis from the beginning of 2003, when the conflict started in the Sudanese region. Despite that, the mass-media begun to report about Darfur almost one year after, when a BBC journalist arrived in the region and spoke about what it was happening there.
With 66 missions around the world, “Doctors without borders” is a private international association made up mainly of doctors and health sector workers that provide assistance in conflict and catastrophe regions for people who need it the most. Another purpose of the organization is to speak about what its members see in the places they work, trying this way to make the world more aware of the serious humanitarian problems that are going on in the world.
“There are many times when we have to choose between speaking about what we see and staying in the country to help”, said Kattrin Lempp. After the organization released a report about the sexual violence from Darfur, the government from Khartoum warned “Doctors without borders” that its members would be kicked out of Sudan if they continue to speak about this kind of things.
Joost Butenop, operational advisor, said he is motivated by the fact that he can make a difference helping people who need him the most. “It’s more motivating then treating 80 years old people who suffer from diabetes in the German hospitals”, he concluded.
Posted in 2007-10: agendasetting| 18.10.07
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