HUMANITY FIRST
What does it mean to put HUMANITY FIRST?
Humanity is the ability to recognise, respect and value the dignity and worth of every individual – regardless of their race, gender or cultural background. Humanity means acting with kindness, generosity and care – something that can unite us as a global community.
Putting #HumanityFirst means a commitment to living by these principles. Putting #HumanityFirst means protecting and saving lives, no matter when or where.
For Doctors Without Borders (MSF), this means providing medical humanitarian care for people who need it most in some of the most challenging times and places around the world. It means being principled and professional – serving patients and their communities with compassion, impartiality and non-judgement.
But what does it mean for you?
We hope these stories of shared humanity inspire you to put #HumanityFirst in your own life. Not sure where to start? Find out more about what we do and how you can support us below!
Welcome to Boma, South Sudan!
What are we doing in Boma, South Sudan?
In the Greater Pibor region in eastern South Sudan lies the remote town of Boma. Here MSF has established a paediatric inpatient department (IPD) for children under the age of 5 years. Prior to this, access to specialised medical care for children was extremely limited.
Meet the team that makes this project possible.
What are we doing in Boma, South Sudan
Treating a young gunshot patient
Nursing activity manager Nico Masela will never forget the day a young baby was brought into the IPD with a gunshot wound to the head. Unable to transfer the child to another medical facility, he and his medical team did whatever they could with the supplies available. Find out what happened.
Treating a young gunshot patient
Changing the face of nursing, for women
Born and bred in Boma, Martha Korok is one of only four female nurses at the IPD. In South Sudan, men tend to dominate the world of nursing. But this is changing. After graduating from the MSF Academy for Healthcare, established in Boma in 2021, Martha is now inspiring other young women in her community to challenge cultural norms and join her. Get inspired by her story.
Changing the face of nursing, for women
Click on the images to find out more about what our teams are doing in Boma, South Sudan.
MSF launched a branch of the Academy for Healthcare in Boma to increase the number of locally trained and accredited healthcare professionals. Local medical staff are scarce due to education disruptions caused by war or lack of training facilities, especially in remote areas. With access to the Boma clinic, the approach is to combine professional development with targeted bedside training. In 2022, The MSF Academy for Healthcare celebrated 419 graduates from 7 countries.
Seme Kenyi Clement, the lab technician at the Boma project, ensures that diagnostic tests for diseases like malaria are done accurately and on time.
The Boma project relies on the weekly arrival of a 1-tonne plane to fly in all the supplies needed to treat patients and look after our team of staff.
Conditions are tough here. The dirt tracks in the bush are hard to navigate and they’re often washed away in the rainy season. MSF vehicles need constant maintenance from our mechanical teams.
“You can always tell when a child is feeling better because they will laugh and play with you,” says Nico Masela, MSF nursing manager in the clinic.
MSF nursing activity manager, Nico Masela, and his team complete morning rounds in the inpatient department, checking in on their young patients and mothers.
How do you put #HumanityFirst?
Humanity is the ability to recognise, respect, and value the dignity and worth of every individual – regardless of their race, gender or cultural background. For MSF staff, putting #HumanityFirst means providing medical care and saving lives, no matter who, where or when.
Donate nowHow do we get medical supplies here when roads disappear?
Road transport between the capital, Juba, and Boma is unreliable. In the rainy season the few roads are impassable and become a sea of sticky mud. The only way to get there is by plane or helicopter. Because of this, all our supplies, including medicines and food for our staff need to be carefully planned and managed. Find out how MSF Southern Africa supply manager, Nthabiseng Moea, makes this happen.
How we get medical supplies when roads disappear?
So much more than medicine
Doctor Maira Lucas left Brazil for Boma on her first-ever MSF assignment in early 2023. With the help of a South Sudanese colleague to translate, she focuses on gaining the trust of the mothers who often walk a full day just to bring their children to our clinic. Meet Maira and find out more.
So much more than medicine
Seeing our impact first-hand
Babur Korok is a resident in Boma, and he works in the MSF supply department. He’s seen first-hand the impact that his job has had on his community and his own family. When his son was seriously ill, he rushed him to MSF’s inpatient department and was struck by how teamwork saves lives. Hear his story.
