Page 146 - JSOM Summer 2020

An Ongoing Series

Nongovernment Organizations Providing Medical Care
in Austere Environments and Challenges They Face

Luka Glavacevic, NSOCM ; Kresimir Karlovic, NSOCM ;
1
2
Evan Gallagher, NSOCM 3

ABSTRACT
Nongovernment organizations (NGOs) have become increas- Free Burma Rangers
ingly common in conflict zones throughout the world. They
provide services that have been the responsibility of under- The Free Burma Rangers (FBR) were created in the late 1990s
staffed, undersupplied, and undertrained local nations and by David Eubank, a Fuller Theological Seminary–educated
communities. However, these organizations face many difficul- pastor and ex-member of the US Special Forces. Upon travel-
ties. They are walking a thin line between militaries, govern- ing to Burma to visit his father, a famous Christian missionary
ments, and local politics. They must find ways to stay supplied based in Thailand, David was touched by Burma’s struggle for
and staffed. The research presented in this article focuses on democracy. David decided to stock his car with medical sup-
three NGOs and the impact they are making throughout the plies and drive to a place where tens of thousands of refugees
world. By understanding the role these organizations play in were fleeing from the intense fighting. Upon arrival, he met a
providing medical relief to conflict zones without the help of medic by the name of Eliya Sampson and together, they went
government agencies, one can see the importance of their work along the border distributing aid – this would be the beginning
and the struggles they face. of the “Free Burma Rangers.”

Keywords: organizations; international agencies; government
agencies; NATO Special Operations medic; NSOCM

Introduction
NGOs are usually not-for-profit and often internationally
based. These organizations are independent of governments
and government affiliation; however, at times, they receive
government support. These organizations are founded by
citizens to provide support to the community in the form of
humanitarian and environmental support, education, health
care, public policy, social support, human rights, and other ar-
eas to effect changes. There are an estimated 10 million NGOs
operating worldwide. Some of these NGOs share common
ground with the SOF community objectives in terms of the
medical training and medical relief they provide in the field.
The FBR is a humanitarian organization that provides med-
This article will explore three NGOs and the challenges they ical assistance, shelter, food, and other aid to people in the
face while providing medical relief in austere environments war-torn regions of Burma, Iraq, Sudan, and Syria. Other than
and without the support you would find in a developed na- providing humanitarian aid, the FBR also operates an infor-
tion’s medical infrastructure, and often placing their own lives mation network to document atrocities and warn civilians
at risk to do so. about incoming danger. Working in conjunction with local
Correspondence to SGM (Ret) Michael R. Hetzler, NRP, at union156@gmail.com
2
3
1 Sgt Glavacevic, Cpl Karlovic, and Sgt Gallagher are completing academic requirements for the Special Operations Medicine Diploma at the
University College Cork in Ireland.
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