May 8 is World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day. The international humanitarian movement faces increasing challenges due to worsening conflicts in some war-torn countries. 

Dr. Unni Karunakara, the former International President of Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), also known by its English title of Doctors Without Borders (DWB), is one of those who risk their lives inside these war zones. Since 1995, he has worked with passion and commitment as part of the organization in Afghanistan, Somalia and many places in between. CGTN's Tian Wei met him in Beijing earlier today to ask him about his incredible journey.

"We need to understand something, that humanitarian action is emblematic of failure. The reason humanitarians are taking risks to provide health care and other assistance in very dangerous parts of the world, because politics has failed," Dr. Unni said when Tian asked him about the differences that their organization can make.

DWB is an international humanitarian medical non-governmental organization (NGO) best known for its projects in conflict zones and in countries affected by endemic diseases. They are not influenced by race, religion and politics. They are neutral, but in a crisis - especially in a war - it's difficult for people to believe their neutrality.

"The way humanitarian agencies get access to remote parts of the world, to places where there is conflict going on, is by convincing various authorities. It's a constant conversation with different authorities and stakeholders in the country," Dr. Unni said.

This process may be frustrating because doctors always have to tell people they are neutral, and there are dangers given that doctors don't have their own guns. In spite of this, Karunakara said, "That is what we do; that is what keeps us safe." He added that before the authorities allow them in, they are asked detailed questions about issues such as their finances - where they get their money from and who their backers are.

"The truth is today, in some of the most difficult parts of the world, in Syria, in Somalia, in the Maghrib, in many of these places, it is actually not that easy to provide humanitarian assistance."