Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) brings medical humanitarian assistance to people affected by conflict, natural disasters, epidemics or exclusion from healthcare. Founded in 1971 in France, MSF is an international, independent medical humanitarian organisation running operational programs in 70 countries and employing over 60,000 people.

Our actions are guided by medical ethics and humanitarian principles. Our funds come from millions of private individual donors worldwide, allowing us to act fast to save lives. Emergency response has been at the core of our work, with activities ranging from vaccination, surgery, psychological care, paediatrics, nutrition and more. Over recent years, MSF has developed oncology activities focusing on women affected by breast and/or cervical cancer, in partnership with national health authorities in Mali and Malawi. Aimed at strengthening prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, palliative and support care, these activities are being expanded to more countries such as Papua New Guinea. 

We strive to bring down barriers that keep people from getting the treatment they need to stay alive and healthy. To do this, MSF Access advocates for the most effective medicines and health products to be available, affordable, and equitably accessible for the people we care for, and beyond.  

An affiliate organisation created in 1986, Epicentre conducts field epidemiology activities, research projects and training programs in support of MSF’s goals. Epicentre's strength lies in its ability to rapidly apply epidemiological methods in complex situations. Its expertise networks include research centres in Niger and Uganda.