What is Doctors of the World?
Doctors of the World an international humanitarian aid organisation that recruits medical and non-medical volunteers, who provide healthcare for vulnerable populations around the world. In addition to medical care, our volunteers “bear witness” to any obstacles to healthcare or human rights abuses that they see. This gives a voice to vulnerable people whose stories may not otherwise be heard.
What sort of healthcare projects do you run?
Our projects fall into three categories:
- Emergency: responding to humanitarian crises, natural disasters, conflicts and wars
- Post-emergency and rehabilitation: helping local people to restore their healthcare system in the aftermath of emergencies by reconstructing clinics and hospitals, providing medical supplies and training local healthcare worker. Post-emergency, or rehabilitation, projects also help with the physical and psychological recovery of people affected by disasters
- Long-term development: these projects aim to bring lasting solutions by tackling the long-term effects of poverty and exclusion on health, by supporting local health systems in prevention, health education and training of local professionals
What countries do you go to?
We operate in both ‘developed’ as well as ‘developing’ countries. We currently are running 90 projects in 50 countries throughout Africa, the Americas, Asia and Europe.
What's the difference between your organisation and Médecins Sans Frontieres (MSF)?
It can be confusing as our French names sound similar. Doctors of the World was formed in 1980 as a breakaway from MSF during the 'boat people' crisis in Vietnam. At the time, there were differences in opinion about intervention and advocacy policies.
Dr. Bernard Kouchner was one of the MSF doctors who resigned along with 14 other doctors, and they went on to form Doctors of the World. Twenty-five years later, as humanitarian aid has evolved, the philosophical differences are less pronounced - although both organisations' internal structures operate differently.
The different definitions of our two organisations can be summarised today as: MdM runs three types of projects: emergency, post-emergency and long-term healthcare development projects - whereas MSF runs emergency response programmes only.
Does Doctors of the World have any religious connections?
No, we are a non-governmental organisation which is also non-denominational and apolitical. We provide healthcare to vulnerable people who cannot access it no matter what their religion, or where they come from.
What do I do if I want to volunteer with Doctors of the World UK either overseas or in the UK?
Post your CV with a covering letter explaining why you’d like to work with DOW UK to the Recruitment Department or email it to: recruitment@doctorsoftheworld.org.uk
