They go where most of us would not dare go to the heart of the fight against Ebola and combat zones, Syria, Iraq, Nigeria, Central African Republic, Ukraine ... Doctors without borders is on the front line medical emergencies. Joanne Liu is President of MSF International and is the guest of Global Conversation to talk about these international emergencies.
- Isabelle Kumar, Euronews
Recently, MSF strongly criticized the lack of international community in response to Ebola. First, a late initial reaction, and then a response to the crisis may be inadequate. Does today you are satisfied with the attitude of the international community to the crisis?
- Joanne Liu, President of Médecins Sans Frontières International
Would be satisfied to say, I think, exaggerated. What I can say is that our message has been heard and some things were made. Now we would like the answer to be more flexible, more suitable, because the answers that are deployed today have been designed for the needs of yesterday. Today, things have changed and we must adapt. We no longer puts up these great centers of one or two hundred beds to isolate sick Ebola, but we need smaller centers in the country. That is the challenge.
- Euronews
You were on the ground, what it feels like to have Ebola?
- MSF
Of my life, I will never forget those images. The last time I went into a room where three of the seven patients were at an advanced stage of the disease, they were unconscious, bleeding from the nose and had blood in the stool. We were very concerned about the medical situation. The worst was that they seemed to do alone, deprived of their loved ones with us dressed in cosmonauts to heal. I always say that men are not made to die alone.
- Euronews
How many people must die before they change things? Already six thousand dead, thousands of people infected, how far can it go?
- MSF
It is very difficult to project and everyone tried to do so. The worst scenario was even mentioned when foretold that could be reached in early 2015, one million four hundred thousand cases. But I do not think it will go far. In reality, the message must be getting today is that even if there is an improvement in some areas, it is too early to declare victory. We can be won some battles, but we did not win the war against Ebola.
- Euronews
You are testing new treatments in some clinics, how is this happening and when can we expect results?
- MSF
We should put in place as soon as this month, at least two of our anti-viral treatments on infected patients, in two of our centers in West Africa. It will last a few weeks, and we hope the results the first quarter of 2015.
- Euronews
Vaccines are also being tested in the US, is that the vaccine is our best hope to contain Ebola, or is it technically possible to do on the ground?
- MSF
If I look to the future, it is a vaccine that stops the transmission of Ebola. And we really hope that we will have a as soon as possible.
- Euronews
When will you believe a vaccine?
- MSF
It is hoped that in 2015 a vaccine will be available for the needs of West Africa.
- Euronews
We have received many questions about social networks. Including the issue of Jen Schradie which asks whether you receive all the help you need - you have already partially answered this question - but what is the country that provides the most substantial assistance in the fight against Ebola?
- MSF
The United States is very involved in Liberia, they have set up several centers. We are far enough from the commitments made by President Obama in September, but they have invested in the field. We ask those who receive US funds to be flexible: We do not need these seventeen centers a hundred beds, but probably some twenty to five beds centers in the country, we must adapt to needs.
Euronews
What will the impact of the virus on the long term? We see today closed schools and economies adrift, what are the consequences?
- MSF
This will take years to recover. Casualties, losses in terms of infrastructure ... We can not measure all the consequences. This is not because we are beginning to see positive results on the ground, we must focus on the future: We must still face great needs today.
- Euronews
This is a major emergency in your care, but MSF is active in sixty-seven countries around the world. You have teams in Syria and it is difficult for you to work. President Bashar al-Assad has not authorized the arrival of your team but you negotiated to be present in some areas controlled by the rebels. What is the situation there?
- MSF
For now, our presence is quite limited, there is little information, and it is very disturbing: Syria is today one of the largest humanitarian crises. It is an operational priority, but, at present, we are not able to respond to the magnitude of this crisis. This is the sad reality.
- Euronews
Why do not they let you in?
- MSF
In fact, we do not have sufficient security guarantees for our teams are set up.
- Euronews
You have to sometimes deal with ethical dilemmas. For example, to work in certain areas, MSF has had in the past, to pay taxes to the militants affiliated with Al Qaeda. How should these situations?
- MSF
The reality is that we pay taxes wherever we work. If working with a government that wants to import ARVs in African countries, it is not exempt from taxes. Everywhere you pay something, be it a government, or some other form of authority, that is the reality on the ground.
- Euronews
It must be difficult to distinguish between good and evil, knowing that the taxes paid by organizations like yours probably not serve the noblest goals.
- MSF
One always thinks about the action we want to put in place and its consequences, and if we think we can make an impact and save lives, then we negotiate with the parties in place.
- Euronews
Another issue of internet, signed "Ray likes a boss", asked how you manage to the conflict zones.
- MSF
We first evaluate the geopolitical situation before going to ground. I did, for example, so-called pre missions where you will talk with everyone, to explain who you are and try to get guarantees for the work you want to do on the field, to be sure that your action will have an impact and meet specific needs. This is how we made the most of the time.
- Euronews
You are also present at the gates of Europe, Ukraine. What has been the impact of your action from the medical services of the state have disappeared in eastern Ukraine?
- MSF
Since the government has taken this decision, and since the beginning of the conflict in May, we provided assistance, meet them both with others, above all in terms of psychological support, because we saw that the populations were severely traumatized by what they had to endure all the attacks.
- Euronews
What would be your message to President Poroshenko?
- MSF
I think that now he must authorize the aid to arrive and it simplifies the administrative difficulties ...
- Euronews
Are you embarrassed about your job?
- MSF
Yes, a little.
-Euronews
Responsibility for your work is very large and there, I would like to relay the question Nurrahmah Lulu has sent us: What is the most difficult problems that you have had to deal with?
- MSF
The hardest part is when people of certain regions do not accept our presence. This is what we have seen in West Africa, people did not understand what had just done, they were afraid. There was a time when people thought we were bringing their Ebola, they rejected us physically. It's hard because we realize that sometimes it takes time to be accepted. But when you have Ebola, a disease which half of cases are fatal and must act quickly, you do not have the luxury of waiting. But we know that being accepted on the ground is key to our work to be successful.
- Euronews
Dr. Joanne Liu, thank you very much for answering Global Conversation.
- MSF
Thank you.
