Professor Paul McMaster:

I probably should not say this, but the inflatable facilities are fantastic. We can move them very quickly and the logistics teams are stunning in their ability to do so. If I had a slight grumble, it would be that if our inflatable operating theatre were to leak slowly, it would gently descend and my anaesthetist would tell me I had 20 minutes in which to finish the procedure. I exaggerate slightly. We can gain access very quickly and create adequate facilities to perform major war surgery. It is not complex neurosurgery or major thoracic surgery, but it is life-saving and prevents the infective complications that so often arise.

People ask me why on earth I, as a retired surgeon, do what I do. They say I see the worst of some parts of the world. However, I also see the very best. That young people from Ireland volunteer, in a difficult time, to work in places that are uncomfortable, at best, and very dangerous gives great hope. That individuals will, in difficult circumstances, give funding to us offers great hope for the world. It is a great privilege to work with and help young teams.

MSF can call on hundreds of volunteers if it must scale up rapidly. There are always contingency plans in the background. If we believed we were being restricted financially, we would consider urgently our priorities and ensure we released sufficient resources to allow emergency teams to be deployed. We will not be inhibited by a lack of funds. If this means we must make appeals to the general public, we will do so.

During the years MSF has developed techniques that allow it to respond to emergencies such as the effects of a tsunami or an earthquake, as in Haiti, if necessary. Part of the problem is public awareness. At Christmas time people do not want to watch the horrors of Syria on television. I do not want to do so with my grandchildren either. Members and their committees can play a valuable role in drawing attention to the circumstances that obtain and I remain optimistic that we can respond. If access becomes available, we will be in the conflict zone with alacrity. We have the capacity to do to so owing to very generous and committed young people in this country and mine.