Doctors Without Borders, known by its French name Medecins Sans Frontieres, is an international humanitarian medical organization that delivers emergency care in conflict zones, epidemics and disasters. It was founded in Paris on December 22, 1971 by a group of French physicians and journalists, including Bernard Kouchner, who had worked with the Red Cross during the Nigerian Civil War and the siege of Biafra and concluded that a new organization was needed, one that would speak publicly about what it witnessed rather than remain neutral and silent. The organization grew from the merger of two French relief groups, and its first field mission followed the 1972 Nicaragua earthquake. This atlas records what the historical record supports and is not medical advice.
Facts
Founding YearFounded December 22, 1971 in Paris, from the merger of the Groupe d'intervention medicale et chirurgicale en urgence and Secours Medical Francais. Founding Date Classification
KindInternational Organization 1 Connections
Long-Form Articles
Specialist In
Source Encyclopaedia Britannica
Source Encyclopaedia Britannica
Sources
1. Encyclopaedia Britannica
Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc.- Institutional profile classification
- Specialist In: Emergency Medicine
- Specialist In: Public Health
View the Source 2. Wikipedia
3. Medecins Sans Frontieres (Wikipedia)
WikipediaFounding sectionQuote, Founding section
On 22 December 1971, the two groups of colleagues merged to form Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders).
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Doctors Without Borders founded?
It was founded in 1971 by French physicians and journalists who wanted an organization that would speak publicly about what it witnessed.
It was founded in Paris on December 22, 1971 by a group of French physicians and journalists, including Bernard Kouchner. They had worked with the Red Cross during the Nigerian Civil War and the siege of Biafra and concluded that a new organization was needed, one that would speak publicly about what it witnessed rather than remain neutral and silent.
What was the first field mission of Doctors Without Borders?
Its first field mission followed the 1972 Nicaragua earthquake.
The organization grew from the merger of two French relief groups, and its first field mission followed the 1972 Nicaragua earthquake.
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