My name is Alice I was born in Buenos Aires, Argentine. I hold a Master's Degree in Social Anthropology from the University of Buenos Aires and have also received my accreditation from the School of Dentistry. I practiced dentistry in rural communities in the poorest districts of Greater Buenos Aires working extensively with both children and adults. I worked on prevention, operative dentistry, endodontia and surgery. I have also worked with different aboriginal communities designing and implementing "Prevention and Education for Oral Health" participative workshops, intended for health operators working with that population.
Seeking to use my medical expertise in the realm of international health work, I began to work with different NGOs (non-governmental organizations). I contacted Doctors of the World Argentina, a member of the world network Medecins du Monde. I held the Presidency (2005-2006) and represented Doctors of the World Argentina in Brazil at the World Social Forum, and the Health of the Original Peoples Congress in Cuenca, Ecuador.
I also spent time doing field work in Sri Lanka following the Tsunami of 2005 where I was in charge of overseeing the monitoring of the "Prevention of Transmissible Diseases by Vectors Dengue Program" in Matara, Sri Lanka.
I have humanitarian experience and have worked in different crisis situations all around the world. Oftentimes I must travel at a moment's notice, and at times in difficult circumstances. In a crisis situation, I invariably find myself working long hours under sustained pressure. As a Project Manager I help with assessing emergency situations overseas and develop appropriate program policies, objectives and activity plans. I recruit and manage a team of local staff, deal with the media and ensure that the program is implemented in a consultative and cost effective way.
In the capacity of a Program Representative, I'm responsible for managing emergency or country programs to ensure humanitarian needs are met. Heading up these programs, I'm able to develop strong working relationships and have the confidence to oversee the ongoing management of large scale or complex initiatives. I bring technical support and expertise to enable decision-making in the crucial stages of program development.
I have worked for the last 10 years with different NGOs helping the most vulnerable populations. Working with: victims of natural disasters, famines, diseases (epidemic or endemic, especially AIDS), victims of armed conflict, political violence, refugees, displaced persons, minorities, street children, drug users, and all people with no access to healthcare.
As a Humanitarian Worker I think it is important that the different NGOs help people trying to change international policies and practices organize in ways which would ensure that the poor people have the rights, opportunities and resources they need to improve and control their lives. All the NGOs help to eradicate poverty, focusing on issues such as education, gender, HIV/AIDS and human rights, trade, conflict, debt and aid, working to ensure the Right to a sustainable livelihood, the Right to basic social services, the Right to Life and security, the Right to be heard and the Right to an identity.
We know that there is no healing without justice, no lasting aid without social laws. To be effective, we must speak out against impeded access to healthcare and violations of human rights and dignity. I think that all NGOs must be involved in discussion with political authorities to improve conditions for civilian populations. Long-term missions make it possible to provide sustainable solutions to the impact of poverty on health. But ultimately all missions, whether for emergencies or for development, must come to an end. The NGOs must have a plan for departure well in advance. Setting up and financing a project, tracking and monitoring its implementation, and finally, knowing when to leave… Each stage has its own set of rules and principles. It must be a procedure that includes early briefing of beneficiaries and local partners, transfer of skills to local workers, and equipment management.
I know that it is an ambitious effort by the international humanitarian community to reach more beneficiaries, with more comprehensive needs-based relief and protection, in a more effective and timely manner, but I also thing that it is possible.
~ A Light at the Top Of The Stairs ~
There are many ways to get involved. All of us can be the heart of a strategy of advocacy, communication, and social mobilization that, combined with the commitment of governments and the support of the world, can put a stop to the deadliest killers such as discrimination, human rights abuses, torture, war, poverty, etc. I think that the challenge of promoting global health and human rights begins with each one of us supporting the rights of individuals in every country, using extensive network of all the different NGOs.
Applying my professional training to Human Aid is a privilege. Anyone who desires to can make a difference... that is what Humanitarian aid is all about. Everyone can be a light at the top of the stairs.
