Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)
An international, independent medical humanitarian organisation that provides emergency medical assistance in more than 70 countries worldwide.
Founded in 1971, MSF is one of the most prominent international humanitarian organisations. It is known for its operational independence, its willingness to speak out (témoignage) about the conditions it witnesses, and its principled approach to humanitarian action. MSF operates in many of the world’s most dangerous and neglected crisis contexts, often where other organisations cannot or will not work.
MSF has been a critical voice in debates about the future of the humanitarian system, often challenging the positions of UN agencies and donor governments. Its operational model, funded primarily by private donations, gives it an independence that most humanitarian organisations lack.