Who They Are

Doctors Without Borders, internationally known by its French name Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), is a leading humanitarian medical organization that delivers emergency care to people affected by conflict, epidemics, disasters, and exclusion from healthcare.

 It is globally respected for its independence, impartiality, and commitment to medical ethics. The organization operates on the principle of providing aid wherever the need is greatest—without regard to race, religion, or political affiliation.

Founding and Purpose

MSF was founded in 1971 by a group of French doctors and journalists in response to two major humanitarian crises: the Biafran War in Nigeria and the devastating Bhola cyclone in Bangladesh. These events revealed the dire consequences of politicized aid and delayed medical response. 

The founders envisioned a new kind of humanitarian organization—one that would respond rapidly, speak out against injustice, and maintain complete independence from political powers.

Mission and Core Principles

The mission of Doctors Without Borders is to provide life-saving medical care in the most dangerous and underserved parts of the world. The organization operates under four guiding principles: independence, neutrality, impartiality, and témoignage—French for “bearing witness.” This last principle refers to MSF’s commitment to speaking out when people’s suffering is ignored or when medical access is deliberately denied.

Global Operations

MSF is active in more than 70 countries worldwide. It runs hospitals, mobile clinics, surgical centers, nutrition programs, mental health support, and epidemic response units. The organization works in war zones, refugee camps, and disaster-hit regions, often being among the first international groups to arrive on the ground.

 Whether responding to an earthquake in Nepal, an Ebola outbreak in West Africa, or ongoing conflict in Gaza, MSF’s presence is often critical to saving lives.

Recent Emergency Responses

In recent years, MSF has been on the front lines in several of the world’s worst crises. These include providing trauma care in Gaza, emergency surgery in Sudan, COVID-19 response efforts in overcrowded refugee settlements, and maternity care in conflict-affected areas like the Democratic Republic of Congo and Afghanistan.

 In Gaza in 2025, MSF teams have been treating wounded civilians amid food shortages and ongoing airstrikes, while also speaking out about the restrictions on humanitarian aid.

Staffing and Structure

The organization employs approximately 45,000 people worldwide, most of whom are local professionals—doctors, nurses, logisticians, and mental health specialists. MSF is structured around five main operational centers in Paris, Brussels, Geneva, Amsterdam, and Barcelona. These centers manage specific country programs, while the MSF International Office in Geneva coordinates global strategy and advocacy.

Financial Independence

One of MSF’s key strengths is its financial independence. More than 95 percent of its funding comes from individual private donors. This allows MSF to make decisions based solely on medical need, not on political, economic, or military agendas. The organization frequently rejects government funding in conflict zones to preserve neutrality. In 2016, for instance, MSF declined all EU funding in protest of European anti-migration policies.

Advocacy and Speaking Out

MSF is not just a medical organization—it is also a vocal advocate for the voiceless. When access is blocked, hospitals are bombed, or patients are deliberately targeted, MSF publicly condemns these actions. The organization has spoken out against atrocities in places like Syria, Gaza, and Yemen. It often walks a delicate line between neutrality and the moral obligation to expose abuse.

Recognition and Awards

In 1999, MSF was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of its pioneering humanitarian work and its commitment to "speaking out." The award praised MSF’s courage in exposing human rights violations while risking the safety of its own staff. The organization has also received dozens of international awards for ethics, medical innovation, and humanitarian service.

Challenges and Risks

MSF staff often operate in extremely dangerous environments. Doctors and nurses have been kidnapped, injured, or killed while working in active war zones. The organization has also been expelled from countries that object to its public criticism or refusal to align with local authorities. Additionally, MSF constantly faces logistical hurdles in delivering supplies and maintaining field hospitals under threat.

How to Support MSF

Individuals can support MSF by donating directly, volunteering their skills, or raising awareness about humanitarian crises. The organization regularly recruits medical professionals, engineers, communications experts, and logistics coordinators. Even those outside the field can help by amplifying MSF’s message, staying informed, or organizing local fundraising initiatives.