A TEAM of fundraisers from Doctors Without Borders (Médecins Sans Frontières) arrived in La Lucia Mall last week as part of a month-long tour in KZN to raise funds and awareness about the organisation’s medical relief work offered to people who have had to flee their countries.

Since May this year, three boats have rescued more than 16 350 people. In response to needs of people fleeing conflict in Syria and Afghanistan, MSF teams have also assisted a further 1 166 others with safe passage to Italy (after they were rescued by other boats), making it a total of 17 516 people assisted by MSF’s teams on the Mediterranean.

There are currently over 59 million displaced people around the world. They are individuals and families who have been forced to flee homes into uncertain futures due to war, oppression and unliveable conditions. On their journeys, in particular on the Mediterranean Sea, they risk their lives to reach safety.

Phumla Mkuzangwe said the response from local residents and mall-goers was encouraging.

“A lot of people had never heard about the organisation and our face-to-face fundraising was a way to raise awareness about what the MSF does, especially the medical work MSF provides during crises throughout the world.

“We also explained to residents how MSF’s work relies on the support of individual donors to keep providing independent medical care. There have been quite a few people who’ve donated their time and money. We’ve had a great response and we hope for more of the same as we head to the upper Highway area,” Mkuzangwe said.