Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) was established in 1971, with the aim of creating an independent, neutral and impartial medical humanitarian organisation, capable of responding to emergency crises anywhere in the world. Over the past 40 years, MSF has developed into an international movement. With over 27,000 people currently working with MSF in around 70 countries worldwide, MSF treats millions of patients every year.

“Committed to bringing medical humanitarian assistance to people suffering from wars and conflicts, natural and man-made disasters, neglected diseases and epidemics, as well as inaccessibility of medical care, regardless of geographical, political, ethnic, religious or social borders.”

MSF takes independent decisions to intervene in crises, where and when, solely based on people's real need. This operational independence becomes feasible with the donation of over 5.1 million donors around the world, including 90,000 Hong Kong citizens, enabling MSF to stand firm to maintain the financial independence.

“Over 40 years, we see the limits of humanitarian action, which is facing constant threats and challenges.”

In a politically charged world, however, delivery of humanitarian aid is not as easy as we read. The 1985 forced displacement of Ethiopian population. The 1994 genocide in Rwanda. The 1999 indiscriminate attacks on civilians in Chechnya. The difficulty to reach the trapped civilians in intense conflicts in Lebanon in 2005, Gaza Strip in 2009 and Libya in 2011. That is why independence matters so much to us at MSF.

Thanks for coming today to walk through 40 years of MSF's history, and for standing by us to make MSF’s adventure continue.