Working with MSF | What to expect

Summary

The script highlights the challenges and rewards of working with Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF). It emphasizes the need for adaptability in diverse cultures and stressful environments, the importance of respecting human rights despite cultural differences, and the necessity of teamwork. The summary also touches on the living conditions, the stress of humanitarian work, and the impact of long-term assignments on personal relationships. It serves as a reality check, urging serious consideration before applying, while acknowledging the life-changing experiences MSF missions can offer.

Takeaways

• 🌍 Working for MSF involves providing healthcare to millions of vulnerable people globally, which requires adaptability to different cultures and living conditions.
• 🧳 Prepare for a challenging environment where human rights and personal freedoms may differ greatly from what you're accustomed to.
• 🏥 Understand that healthcare access might be denied to certain ethnicities, and MSF must navigate these complexities while maintaining operations.
• 🏠 Be ready to live with limited amenities like bucket showers, shared toilets, and basic living quarters, possibly in tents or mud huts.
• 🕊️ Respect for local authority and negotiation is crucial for MSF to continue its work without compromising its mission or funding.
• 🌐 Limited or no internet access means being disconnected from regular communication with loved ones back home.
• 🍽️ Adapt to different types of food and cope with potential scarcity or poor quality of dietary options for extended periods.
• 🔌 Prepare for limited electricity and the challenges of working with basic or inadequate infrastructure.
• 🤝 Teamwork is essential for reducing stress and providing the best care in emergency situations; MSF missions foster a strong sense of community.
• 🕰️ Consider the long-term commitment, typically nine to twelve months, and the impact this extended absence will have on personal relationships.
• 🌐 Working with MSF is not an escape from home issues but a commitment to providing aid in challenging environments, which can be life-changing.

Q & A

What does MSF stand for and what is its primary mission?

MSF stands for Médecins Sans Frontières, also known as Doctors Without Borders. Its primary mission is to provide healthcare to millions of vulnerable people across the globe.

What are some of the cultural and environmental adaptations required for working with MSF in different countries?

Working with MSF requires adapting to different cultures, living conditions, and stressful environments. This includes being prepared for attitudes towards human rights and personal freedoms that may differ significantly from what one is used to.

How might the rights of certain groups of people be different in the areas where MSF operates?

In some areas, rights to education for women and children may be restricted, homosexuality may be frowned upon or punishable by law, and certain sections of the population may be neglected or actively persecuted based on clan, ethnicity, nationality, or religion.

What kind of living conditions can MSF workers expect while on a mission?

MSF workers may experience basic living conditions such as sharing rooms and toilets with colleagues, using bucket showers, and enduring different types of toilets and food. They might live in mud huts or tents with limited electricity and a poor choice of food.

What challenges might MSF workers face in terms of communication and connectivity while on mission?

MSF workers may face challenges such as irregular internet access, which can limit their ability to connect with loved ones back home.

How does MSF define the importance of teamwork in its missions?

MSF emphasizes that teamwork is absolutely necessary for a mission to work. It is likened to a sports team model where every member has to play their part and keep each other going.

What is the typical duration of an MSF mission?

The typical duration of an MSF mission is nine to twelve months, although the time away can vary.

How does MSF advise prospective workers on dealing with the stress of working in emergency contexts?

MSF advises that working well with others is crucial to reducing stress and providing the best possible care. It also emphasizes the importance of community and family within the MSF teams.

What are some of the potential misunderstandings that MSF workers might encounter in different cultures?

MSF workers might encounter misunderstandings due to differences in beliefs, cultures, senses of humor, or outlooks on life. It is important to keep an open mind and respect these differences.

Why should someone not consider working with MSF as an escape from difficult situations at home?

MSF advises against using work with the organization as an escape from home problems, as it can cause more harm than good to both the individual and those around them.

What is the purpose of the video script provided, and what does MSF hope to achieve by sharing it?

The purpose of the video script is to provide a reality check regarding working abroad with MSF. MSF hopes to ensure that prospective workers give serious thought before applying, understanding the challenges and rewards of the experience.