Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), or Doctors Without Borders, is an international, independent medical humanitarian organization founded in 1971 in Paris, France. It is known for delivering emergency medical aid to people affected by:
Armed conflict
Epidemics and disease outbreaks
Natural and man-made disasters
Healthcare exclusion or neglect
MSF operates based on these principles:
Neutrality: Not taking sides in conflicts
Impartiality: Treating people based solely on need
Independence: Operating free from political, economic, or religious influence
Bearing witness: Speaking out against injustice when needed
MSF works in over 70 countries, including crisis zones like Syria, Yemen, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. For example, in Tanzania, MSF provides healthcare to Burundian refugees and responds to diseases like malaria and measles.
Emergency surgeries
Maternal care
Mental health services
Treatment of infectious diseases (e.g., HIV, TB, Ebola, COVID-19)
Vaccination campaigns
MSF is powered by over 45,000 professionals, including:
Doctors
Nurses
Logistic experts
Administrators
They often work in challenging conditions and rotate on short-term missions.
MSF is funded mainly by private donors, which helps maintain its independence. Over 90% of funding comes from individual contributions.
Nobel Peace Prize (1999) for pioneering humanitarian aid in conflict zones.