How we're run
Run by MSF staff, for our patients
The medical team inside the intensive care unit of the MSF medical train monitor and stabalise a seriously war-wounded patient during the journey from Pokrovsk, eastern Ukraine to Lviv, in western Ukraine. The journey takes approximately 20 hours. Ukraine, May 2022.
© Andrii Ovod
We are run by MSF associations, whose members are mostly current and former field staff
Today, the international MSF movement is composed of 27 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, Central America & Mexico (CAMEX), Democratic Republic of Congo, Denmark, East Africa, France, Germany, Greece, Holland, Hong Kong, Japan, Italy, Latin America, Luxembourg, Norway, South Asia, Southern Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, USA, and West and Central Africa regional association.
The Foundation Chairman
Dr Christos Christou
All 27 MSF associations, as well as individuals and the International President, are members of MSF International, the association that safeguards the identity of the MSF movement.
The highest authority of MSF International, the annual International General Assembly (IGA) is made up of representatives of each association as well as of individual membership, and the International President. The International President, who is currently Dr Christos Christou, is elected by the IGA. Each representative, and the International President, has one independent vote on issues brought to the assembly for resolution.
The IGA is responsible for safeguarding MSF’s medical humanitarian mission, and provides strategic orientation to all MSF entities. It delegates duties to the International Board, and holds the board accountable for those tasks.
The International Board is made up of representatives of the Operational Centres as well as a group elected by the IGA, and is chaired by the International President.
MSF International's executive 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. Christopher Lockyear is the current Secretary General of MSF International.
Senior Management Group
The International Board (IB) is the board of MSF International. It acts on behalf of and is accountable to the International General Assembly (IGA). As the highest associative governance body of MSF, the IGA delegates duties to the Board, as defined in the Statutes of the association.
The International Board (IB) is intended to have mainly a guiding role, ensuring accountability and facilitating agreement within the MSF movement in a timely manner.
The IB is composed of: the International President; one representative for each operational centres (five people); six additional people elected by the IGA.
Two-thirds of IB members must have a medical background. Additional non-voting members, such as a treasurer, can be co-opted by the IB depending on its needs.
The members of the International Board, in addition to the International President, are: