About MSF

MSF is the world's leading medical humanitarian organisation, working principally in emergency situations. 

See our 40 year timeline here!

Founded in France in 1971 by a small group of doctors and journalists who believed that all people should have access to emergency medical care, MSF has grown to become an international organisation with offices in 19 countries, and programmes in 64 countries. Often working in difficult geographical or political contexts, we go where others cannot or choose not to go.

We are able to go where the needs are greatest because we are independently financed - more than 80% of MSF's funding comes from the generosity of private individuals from Ireland and around the world.

MSF believes that it is not just enough to treat our patients; we have a responsibility to raise awareness of their suffering, to speak out on behalf of the people we help.

MSF was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1999 "in recognition of the organisation's pioneering humanitarian work on several continents."

MSF opened its office in Ireland in 2006. Here, we support the international movement through raising awareness of humanitarian crises around the world in Irish media; through fundraising activities; and recruiting skilled professionals to become MSF volunteers across the world. More than 50 Irish volunteers from a range of medical and non-medical backgrounds have worked with us in countries as diverse as Sudan, Myanmar, Colombia, Pakistan, and Uzbekistan.