It has been suggested that translators perform an ‘invisible’ job, with the work they do going unnoticed and largely unheralded. Nevertheless, translators provide a vital service in bridging the gap between languages and cultures, and nowhere is this service more important than in the work of humanitarian group Translators Without Borders.

Translators Without Borders manages a community of Non-Governmental Organisations who need translations, putting them in touch with professional, vetted translators who volunteer their time and skills. In this way important aid groups can connect directly with qualified translators. This facilitates the transfer of knowledge from one language to another, something which is vital in effective humanitarian work.

Considered the “forgotten element of humanitarian work”, translation is absolutely essential for communication between governments, NGOs and international staff. After all, the ability to tackle some of the world’s most important humanitarian issues – hunger, education, aid following natural disasters,– hinges on having access to appropriate information. Often this information is available, but if the person in need cannot access it in his or her native language, they may not have the tools to survive.

Traducteurs sans Frontières (TSF) was established in France in 1993, with the aim of putting qualified translators in touch with NGOs that focus on health, nutrition and education. Today, TSF’s American sister organisation, Translators Without Borders, helps to make sure that humanitarian aid is delivered effectively and where it is most needed. TWB has translated reports, interviews and medical documents from troubled areas across the world, such as Afghanistan, Sudan and, most recently, the drought-stricken Horn of Africa. As you may imagine, as well as providing a quick and efficient service, this frees up significant funds for NGOs to place elsewhere.

Today, Translators without Borders assists in translating more than two million words per year for NGOs such as Médecins sans Frontières (Doctors without Borders), Médecins du Monde, Action Against Hunger and Handicap International. However, despite all their excellent work, TWB report that they are “not even meeting 1% of the need” for the translation of vital communications. By further developing their organisational structure and developing an open digital platform, TWB hopes to be able to translate more than 10 million words per year.

For more information, to offer donations or to volunteer your services as a translator, visit Translators Without Borders.