In the first week of June, Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) launched “Starved for Attention,” a multimedia campaign exposing the neglected and largely invisible crisis of childhood malnutrition. Working with the photographers from the VII Photo agency, MSF has created a series of documentaries that combine stunning photography and video that depict the realities of malnutrition around the world. Having seen all the documentaries and photos at the VII Gallery in Dumbo, I could only stand in awe of the footage. The images can be haunting and chilling (see Marcus Bleasdale’s images below). But there is a direction and purpose to the campaign: that malnutrition in many third world countries is actually a solvable and treatable condition (even relatively inexpensive to address). Also, it questions current methods for treating malnutrition, including the two-standard US approach for providing food-aid both within and outside our borders. In the end, one is left punched in the gut by the images and video footage, but also realizing that MSF and the photographers were able to deliver a distinct, clear and powerful message.

You can view the first two videos that have been released on the Web below. Watch the footage and then sign the petition demanding that governments provide food aid that meets basic nutritional standards. Also, if you live within New York City, you can view the full exhibit now at the VII Gallery in Dumbo.

“Frustration” by Marcus Bleasdale

“A Mother’s Devotion” by Jessica Dimmock

Doctors Without Borders (MSF) has posted a new slideshow of images from their relief efforts in Haiti. Having worked in the poorest districts of Haiti for the past 19 years, they’re a well known entity within the country. People flocked to their hospitals, many of which as you’ll see by the photos, were badly damaged in the earthquake. However they were able to salvage some supplies and begin immediate emergency treatment in makeshift tents. According this post from MSF, there’s been no letup in people who need medical treatment and MSF’s teams have been going non-stop since last week. They’ve just started a working hospital in Carrefour, but as expected people have been flooding in:

One of MSF’s operational coordinators in Port-au-Prince, Hans van Dillen, says there was an immediate reaction when people found out that we were starting medical activities in Carrefour. People began crowding around the entrance. Patients are being brought in by wheelbarrow and on others’ backs. There are other hospitals in the area but they are already overflowing with injured people and have limited numbers of Haitian staff or supplies.

You can view the slideshow above to see photos of MSF’s efforts in Haiti. Or if you’re reading this via one of the social networks, click here.

With the flood of donations coming into MSF in the past week, they have enough money for their relief efforts in Haiti, but you can still donate to help their projects in other parts of the world here.

I’ve reached 55% of my goal to raise $1,000 for Doctors Without Borders “Be There 1st” fundraising campaign. I have always been in awe of the work DWB (or Medecins Sans Frontieres) does — going into very hostile and dangerous situations to provide healthcare where none exists (or is inadequate). When they announced the “Be There 1st” campaign, I felt required to do my part.

Many thanks to all those who have already contributed. And if you haven’t donated yet, please do, even if its a small donation of $5-10. Every little bit helps and, as there thousands of people pitching in on this campaign, all the small contributions add up to a large amount of funds to support DWB’s efforts around the globe . Click here or on the image below to donate.

It’s a great organization and a very important cause. I have a ton of respect for the work they do and the dangerous situations they face in order to help the poorest people in the most devastated regions of our planet. Click here or on the image below to donate.