Medical workers put their lives on the line

Zhang used to work in Kinshasa, capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo, on an HIV/AIDS program, where she found the true meaning of "without borders".

During the day, she and her colleagues from different countries treated HIV/AIDS patients, regardless of whether they were sex workers, drug addicts or prison inmates. After work, the international team treated each other as family, with different colleagues always preparing dinner during weekends.

"It's been almost two years since I returned from Kinshasa, but I still remember we practiced boxing every Tuesday night. We always came off duty from the hospital early and gathered in our dormitory's yard. Our boxing instructor, who was a big guy, was a driver for the emergency rescue program. Every time we trained, our muscles were sore until the following Tuesday," Zhang said.

"Medical ethics, independence, impartiality and neutrality," are the principles that define the mission of Doctors Without Borders, but it is hard to put those principles into practice.

Wei, the communications officer, said the organization is able to gain access to conflict-stricken areas in remote parts of the world by convincing various authorities that it is neutral and can guarantee the safety of its workers.

This process can be frustrating, as the organization's workers always have to tell people - regardless of whether they are extremist or local forces - that they are neutral. There are also risks, as the doctors are unarmed. Despite this, Wei said the negotiating process is "inevitable", as it is what keeps them safe.

To ensure that it operates independently, the organization collects funding largely from individuals donating small amounts. Last year, more than 6.3 million individual donors, private companies and foundations provided 95 percent of the 1.54 billion euros ($1.71 billion) the organization raised.

"Operating independently is the quality that every member of our organization cherishes. Neutrality is the best tool to ensure our colleagues' and patients' safety. In every hospital established or supported by Doctors Without Borders, there is a large and clear sign saying that no weapons are allowed on the premises.

"If a wounded soldier carrying a gun wants to enter one of our hospitals, he must leave his weapon outside. Soldiers who enter our hospitals are treated like any other patients. Whether they return to fight again, we have no right to judge. As a medical humanitarian organization, we try our best to treat the patients most in need," Wei said.