An MSF doctor treats a baby at a refugee camp in Thailand, 1978
Photo by MSF
In 1970 a group of French doctors joined an international aid mission to help victims of Nigeria’s civil war. They were frustrated by government interference in humanitarian aid and felt they were being silenced when they wanted to tell the world about the atrocities they witnessed.
To speak out about the plight of victims, and seeking an independent, impartial way to provide care where they saw the greatest need, they joined a group of French journalists who were committed to the same principles and founded MSF in 1971.
The organisation started life as a group of medics travelling to remote corners of the world, providing medical aid to victims of wars and natural disasters. Over time the organisation grew, employing more people in the countries where it worked. Now MSF has offices in 19 countries including the UK. In 1999, in recognition of its “pioneering humanitarian work on several continents”, MSF was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.