03 Jan 2012

The MSF movement

Tags: Info

The MSF movement

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is a worldwide movement of current and former field staff, grouped into national and regional associations. Collectively, they make sure that MSF stays true to its mission and principles.

Currently, there are 23 associations. All are independent legal entities, and each elects its own board of directors and president. Most associations have an executive office that raises funds and recruits staff for MSF’s operations.

The associations are attached to operational directorates. The five operational directorates, based in Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam, Barcelona and Geneva, manage MSF’s humanitarian assistance programmes. Decentralised units such as a supply centre in Bordeaux, a specialised HIV/AIDS unit in Johannesburg, and an evaluation unit in Vienna, also support our operations.

MSF offices, units, directorates and associations interconnect and work together in various ways, and are formally bound as one movement by a shared commitment to the MSF Charter and principles, a shared name, and shared membership of MSF International.

MSF International

The MSF associations, the International President and individuals are all members of MSF International.

The International General Assembly is the highest authority of MSF International. It is responsible for safeguarding MSF’s medical humanitarian mission, and provides strategic orientation to all MSF entities. The assembly meets annually, and comprises two representatives of each association, two representatives elected by the individual members of MSF International, and the International President (who is elected by the assembly). The current International President is Dr Unni Karunakara.

International Board

The International Board acts on behalf of and is accountable to the International General Assembly. It is made up of representatives of the operational directorates as well as a group elected by the International General Assembly, and is chaired by the International President.

MSF International facilitates coordination among the various MSF entities and collates and disseminates information. Based in Geneva, it provides coordination, information and support to the MSF Movement, and implements international projects and initiatives as requested. Its costs are paid by MSF’s national executive offices. Kris Torgeson is the current Secretary General of MSF International.