Volunteers from home and abroad who are not sufficiently trained in disaster relief or medical assistance should not simply turn up in quake-hit regions, an official with a France-based NGO said yesterday.
The good intentions of unorganized volunteers notwithstanding, their presence might put extra pressure on local transport and accommodation, and impair the rescue work, said the official from Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF), who asked not to be named, in Chengdu.
MSF is an international humanitarian medical organization that provides emergency assistance to people hit by natural disasters around the world.
"With experienced and competent workers, sufficient rescue materials and money, we are fully prepared to offer medical help to those in need," the official said.
"And our whole spearhead team of 30 members would like to be stationed together at a hard-hit township or small village in dire need of help, and handle the entire rescue and relief operation there," he said.
MSF members, mostly foreign medical personnel, are currently working at several different sites.
Some are working as part of the relief team organized by the local Red Cross Society at the hardest hit counties including Wenchuan, while others are treating survivors at major hospitals in Chengdu.
"These city hospitals now have enough medics and materials," the official said.
Right now, an effective channel needs to be established between the local authorities and the foreign NGOs keen to help in order to assist those who need it the most, he said.
"If such a channel is in place, our relief efforts will be more effective," he said.
"We strongly appeal to the local government to dispatch us to the worst-hit areas to help the people there."
WHO Representative to China Hans Troedsson said that not all foreign medical volunteers are needed at the frontline.
"The local population almost always covers the immediate lifesaving needs. Only medical personnel with skills not available locally may be needed," he said.
Vice-Minister of Health Gao Qiang told a press conference on disaster relief and rescue last week that Chinese authorities appreciate the eagerness shown by other countries to help and are willing to accept assistance.
"When we are in real need, we'll ask for help," he said.
Questions:
1. Why does an official from Mediciens Sans Frontieres say volunteers with no disaster or medical expertise should not just show up at quake-hit regions?
2. How many people from MSF are working in the quake-hit areas?
3. What does WHO China representative Hans Troedsson say not all foreign medical volunteers are needed on the frontline?
Answers:
1. They can put more pressure on local transport and accommodation, and impair rescue work.
2. 30.
3. He says the local population almost always covers the immediate lifesaving needs.
（英语点津 Helen 编辑）
About the broadcaster:
Bernice Chan is a foreign expert at China Daily Website. Originally from Vancouver, Canada, Bernice has written for newspapers and magazines in Hong Kong and most recently worked as a broadcaster for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, producing current affairs shows and documentaries
