Australia: Sameer Baluch
Location:
Perth, WA (Wadjuk Noongar land)
Regular donor Sameer Baluch admits he didn’t know much about MSF until a telephone representative contacted him in late 2025.
Although he had signed MSF’s Protect the People of Gaza petition earlier that year, it wasn’t until that conversation that he gained a deeper understanding of MSF’s work – particularly its provision of medical humanitarian care to people affected by conflict in places familiar to him – and decided to become a donor.
Sameer is of Pakistani Baloch descent – an ethnic group whose traditional homeland spans Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan, and which has faced longstanding marginalisation. He recalls stories from his grandfather about postcolonial unrest beginning in 1948, when his grandfather was still a child.
“When my mum was just two or three,” he says, “Granddad took his young family to what is now Bangladesh.” Known as East Pakistan (1956–1971), his grandfather had travelled there for work, but they faced hostility from locals who felt jobs were being taken.
He also speaks of family members on his mother’s side who lost their lives after speaking out for Baloch autonomy.
Growing up in Perth’s multicultural northern suburbs, Sameer has heard similar stories from friends at his local mosque, representing diasporic communities from Eastern Europe, Africa, Southeast Asia and the Arab world, each shaped by histories of colonisation, unrest and displacement, experiences that shape his connection to MSF’s work.
You can become a regular donor to MSF Australia by visiting our donation page, or contacting our Supporter Relations team on 1300 136 061.
New Zealand: Mathew Bannister
Location:
Gisborne (Tairāwhiti)
“I’ve known about MSF for many, many years, perhaps 30 or so,” says regular donor Mathew Bannister, a father of three who works in the fresh produce industry as a compliance coordinator, helping fruit growers meet their requirements. He enjoys spending time with people through both his work and volunteering, reflecting his strong sense of community. In his spare time, he volunteers with Fire and Emergency New Zealand and also as a mentor for young people.
As someone who gives his time to help others, Mathew admires MSF’s work in responding to humanitarian health crises around the world.
“I support MSF because it’s non-governmental, fiercely independent and aligns with my values,” he says. “It’s absolutely focused on what it does, and it has the strength to carry that through in really challenging situations.”
“They’re particularly focused on delivering healthcare to those who would not otherwise have access to it,” he says. “Wherever they are, they bring forward the very best they can in those situations.”
Balancing work, family and volunteering, Mathew understands the importance of showing up when it matters most, something he sees reflected in MSF’s teams around the world.
You can become a regular donor to MSF New Zealand by visiting our donation page or contacting our Supporter Relations team on 0508 633 324.