MSF was officially created on 22nd December 1971. At the time, 300 volunteers made up the organisation: doctors, nurses and other staff, including the 13 founding doctors and journalists.

MSF was created on the belief that all people have the right to medical care regardless of gender, race, religion, creed or political affiliation, and that the needs of these people outweigh respect for national boundaries.

2021 marks 50 years of humanitarian action.