There could have been no better selection for the Nobel Peace Prize than Doctors Without Borders with its volunteers who ignore hardships and dangers and go to the world's most troubled places. Doctors Without Borders is a symbol, standing for many other organizations, groups and individuals who give their time and their skills to relieve suffering beyond what most of us can imagine even with the wide range of disasters brought into our homes by news coverage of catastrophes and wars.
Next Wednesday's column will tell you how to obtain information on organizations needing volunteers in Tokyo, and what you can do to help. No list, however, is ever complete; there are always omissions. Here is a worthwhile organization you won't find in this year's publication: Medecins du Monde with a mission much like Doctors Without Borders. Medecins du Monde, which was launched in 1980 as an international humanitarian organization with the mission of providing medical assistance for the world's most vulnerable populations, opened an office here in 1995, the year of the Great Hanshin Earthquake. Its work, and that of many other dedicated organizations, will not end until the world learns how to avoid natural disasters and manmade crises resulting from such inhumanities as war, political repression and poverty. There are no indications that the need for such services will end within the foreseeable future.
The critical need of Medecins du Monde is for doctors and nurses who volunteer to help during our continuing crises, nor does the need for them end when the emergency passes. Now, in Kosovo, in East Timor, following earthquakes and floods, it is especially the children who require continuing care and comfort. Professionals who can give their time are urged to contact the office. For others, there is a need for secretarial help; translators, especially French, English and Japanese; and writers/editors for the newsletter. The Tokyo office is headed by French businessman Gael Austin, whose involvement did not end when his work in arranging for members to come to Japan during the Great Hanshin Earthquake was completed. Instead, he has become more deeply involved. He hopes that many of you will join him in this essential work. For information, call (03) 3585-6436 or fax (03) 3585-1134. Of course if you can only give money, that, too is both welcome and essential. Corporations especially are encouraged to contact him to learn how much their contributions can help.