How we work
MSF provides medical care to millions of people caught in crises around the world.
Our teams conduct independent evaluations to determine medical needs and assess what assistance to provide. Different criteria determine what we do, such as the magnitude of a given crisis, the levels of illness and mortality in the population, the severity of exclusion from healthcare, and the added value we can bring to the affected people. We regularly question the form, relevance and impact of our presence, taking into account what other organisations do.
How we do it
Everywhere we work, the circumstances are unique. Nonetheless, our programmes generally follow a common set of practices designed to make sure our resources and expertise are used to maximum effect.
Rapid and effective response to emergencies is at the core of our work. If mortality rates soar in just a few weeks, the main challenge is to save as many lives as possible in as short a time. MSF keeps pre-packaged kits so that teams can offer rapid lifesaving assistance - from surgical kits, inflatable hospitals to cholera kits. Our cash reserves for emergencies means we can provide assistance quickly, when and where the need is greatest.
Emergency response
Rapid and effective response to emergencies is at the core of our work. If mortality rates soar in just a few weeks, the main challenge is to save as many lives as possible in as short a time. MSF keeps pre-packaged kits so that teams can offer rapid lifesaving assistance - from surgical kits, inflatable hospitals to cholera kits. Our cash reserves for emergencies means we can provide assistance quickly, when and where the need is greatest.
Medical care & innovation
Improving our medical practice is part and parcel of our ongoing activity. Medical guidelines for our teams are regularly updated to build on best practices. Our medical innovation has lead to significant improvements in the care delivered to people in crisis, beyond MSF. For example, changes to drug regimens for malaria treatment, the creation of cholera treatment centres for epidemic response, or the use of ready-to-use-foods and new treatment models to tackle malnutrition.
Supply and logistics
We are able to treat millions of patients each year because our work is underpinned by a solid network of supply and logistics. It is run on the basis that MSF staff should always have exactly the right materials for the job at hand, whether in acute emergencies when supplies might be needed within 24 hours, or in long-running programmes, where a steady supply of equipment and medicines is vital.
Our teams
When a crisis hits, MSF staff already in the area will mobilise to provide assistance. More staff from the region or further abroad are sent if needed. In addition to medical staff, our teams include logisticians, water specialists, and administrators, among others. In some countries we have established emergency units. For example, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, we have six different emergency units responding to crises throughout the country.
Quality of medicines
We attach the utmost importance to the quality of medicines used to treat patients. We strongly consider that any patient wherever he or she lives has the right to be treated with effective and safe medical products. We validate our medical supplies following a strict qualification scheme based on international quality standards.
Insecure environments
Our medical care is based on needs alone, independent of political, economic or other interests. On the ground, our teams are in constant dialogue with communities, local authorities, and armed groups, to facilitate access and delivery of the best possible medical care for patients and their communities. We do our utmost to minimise the risk for our teams through this constant dialogue and through the usefulness and quality of the assistance we provide.
Behavioural commitments
The integrity of our organisation is upheld by the good conduct of each individual staff member, in any location, with full respect for the communities we serve. For us, this means not tolerating any behaviour from our staff that exploits the vulnerability of others, or of employees taking advantage of their position for personal gain. Our leadership has unequivocally committed to fight abuse and to reinforce mechanisms and procedures to prevent and address it.