Home | UNICEF in Action | Highlights | Information Resources | Donations, Greeting Cards & Gifts | Press Centre | Voices of Youth | About UNICEF

UNICEF hails awarding of Nobel Prize to Médecins Sans Frontières

Friday, 15 October 1999: The United Nations Children's Fund welcomes the decision to award the Nobel Peace Prize to Médecins Sans Frontières as a strong endorsement of the need to protect civilians and provide immediate relief in natural disaster and on all sides of armed conflict.

"Médecins Sans Frontières has been in the forefront of humanitarian relief since its inception in the 1970s," said Carol Bellamy, Executive Director of UNICEF.

"In its quarter century of existence, Doctors Without Borders has been an essential actor in all major humanitarian disasters, protecting those most in need," Bellamy said. "The bestowal of this year's Nobel Peace Prize is a recognition of the vital role of humanitarian workers, whose safety is coming under increasing threat."

UNICEF enthusiastically supports the work of MSF in providing medical assistance to women and children affected by natural disaster and conflict.

Home| UNICEF in Action | Highlights | Information Resources | Donations, Greeting Cards & Gifts | Press Centre | Voices of Youth | About UNICEF