We are run by MSF associations, whose members are mostly current and former field staff
Our members share a commitment to independent medical humanitarian action, and collectively own and manage MSF through national and regional associations.
Members engage to defend the values expressed in our Charter. They voice their views on our action and approach, informing and steering MSF's direction.
Members elect the governing board and president of each association and hold them accountable for their actions.
We are a field-based movement engaging MSF volunteers and staff from all over the world in a shared commitment to medical humanitarian action.
Through MSF associations, members have the right and responsibility to voice their opinions and contribute to the definition and guidance of our social mission. The associations bring together individuals in formal and informal debates and activities - in the field, in general assemblies at national and regional levels, and in an annual international assembly.
Because the people making the decisions are current or former field or office staff, MSF remains relevant to the needs seen in the field, and focused on medical care and on our core principles: independence, impartiality, and neutrality.
25 MSF Associations
Today, the international MSF movement is composed of 25 associations around the world.
Each of them is an independent legal entity registered in the country where they operate. The associations elect their own board of directors and president during their General Assembly.
The associations are: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, East Africa, France, Germany, Greece, Holland, Hong Kong, Japan, Italy, Latin America, Luxembourg, Norway, South Asia regional association, Southern Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, USA, and West and Central Africa regional association.
Our offices around the world
The MSF associations are linked to five Operational Centres (OC) who directly manage our humanitarian action in the field and decide when, where, and what medical care is needed.
MSF sections are offices that support our field work. They mainly recruit staff, organise fundraising, and raise awareness on the humanitarian crises our teams are witnessing. Each MSF section is linked to an association which defines the strategic direction of the section, and holds the section accountable for its work.
Some MSF sections have opened branch offices to extend this support work further. Currently there are 23 sections and 18 branch offices around the world.
Additional satellite offices exist to support our work, mainly for logistics, supply and epidemiology.
Other MSF Projects
MSF Access Campaign
In the field, MSF doctors are constantly frustrated by the lack of adequate medical tools.
In response, we set up the MSF Access Campaign in 1999 to push for access to, and the development of, life-saving and life prolonging medicines, diagnostic tests and vaccines for patients in our programmes and beyond.
We set this project up with the prize money from the Nobel Peace Prize, which MSF was awarded in 1999.
VISIT THE MSF ACCESS CAMPAIGN WEBSITE
MSF Field Research
MSF is well known for its humanitarian medical work, but it has also produced important research based on its field experience with vulnerable populations.
Some MSF offices have specialist research teams, which constantly analyses and refines our responses to specific diseases. They also run annual events to showcase our research.
The International office in Geneva is the focal point for the other MSF offices and is where important joint decisions are made.
Our International President is Dr Christos Christou. Dr Christou joined MSF in 2002 and has held a number of roles in the field. His first assignment was in Greece as a field doctor, working with migrants and refugees. He then worked as a doctor in an HIV/AIDS project in Zambia in 2004 and 2005. After a break from field missions for a number of years while he trained as a surgeon, from 2013 he joined MSF missions in a number of conflict zones and insecure contexts, including South Sudan, Iraq and, most recently, Cameroon, as an Emergency and Trauma surgeon.
VISIT THE MSF INTERNATIONAL WEBSITE
DNDi
For 30 years, MSF has directly witnessed the human cost of the lack of drugs for neglected diseases and has raised its voice against this inequity.
In 2003, seven organisations from around the world joined forces to establish the Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi).
VISIT THE DRUGS FOR NEGLECTED DISEASES INITIATIVE WEBSITE
International Office
The International office in Geneva is the focal point for the other MSF offices and is where important joint decisions are made.
Our International President is Dr Christos Christou. Dr Christou joined MSF in 2002 and has held a number of roles in the field. His first assignment was in Greece as a field doctor, working with migrants and refugees. He then worked as a doctor in an HIV/AIDS project in Zambia in 2004 and 2005. After a break from field missions for a number of years while he trained as a surgeon, from 2013 he joined MSF missions in a number of conflict zones and insecure contexts, including South Sudan, Iraq and, most recently, Cameroon, as an Emergency and Trauma surgeon.
