Our Commitment to Safeguarding  

Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), is committed to ensuring a working and operational environment free from abuse, exploitation, harassment, and misconduct.  

We promote a culture of safety, dignity, and respect for all;  including our staff, our patients, and the communities we work with. We do not tolerate any behavior that exploits the vulnerability of others, abuses a position of trust, or brings harm to individuals through their association with MSF.  

All staff are expected to abide by MSF’s Behavioural Commitments and the principles set out in the MSF Charter. The integrity of our organization is upheld by the good conduct of every individual, in every location where we work.  

Preventing Abuse and Misconduct  

Our leadership is unequivocally committed to reinforcing mechanisms and procedures to prevent, detect, and respond to any form of misconduct.  

We expect all staff to behave responsibly, respectfully, and in accordance with our ethical obligations, including when interacting with vulnerable individuals and communities. Any behaviour that exploits the vulnerability of others or leverages a position of authority for personal gain is unacceptable.  

Reporting Misconduct: Grievance and Whistleblowing Mechanisms  

MSF has procedures in place to encourage prevention, early detection, and reporting of misbehaviour, harassment, abuse, or exploitation.  

• Staff are encouraged to report inappropriate behaviour either through their management line or via independent reporting channels outside the hierarchy, using designated and confidential email addresses.
• Victims or witnesses in the communities where MSF works are also encouraged to report misconduct, allowing allegations to be properly addressed.
• Awareness activities, including briefings, field visits, trainings, and staff manuals, ensure that information about reporting mechanisms is widely accessible.

We are committed to managing all reports with confidentiality, respect, and sensitivity—this includes protecting the privacy and rights of all parties involved, without excusing or shielding harmful behavior  

Strengthening Safeguarding Across MSF  

Across the MSF movement, we continue to strengthen our safeguarding culture through initiatives such as:  

• Increasing dedicated staff and resources to support safeguarding, investigations, and field visits.  
• Conducting workshops and staff consultations to better understand risks and improve prevention efforts.  
• Integrating safer recruitment practices to help prevent individuals who pose a risk from entering the organization.  
• Strengthening and promoting reporting mechanisms for abuse, harassment, and exploitation.  
• Raising awareness at the patient and community level.  
• Improving data gathering, monitoring, and information sharing across the organization.  
• Regularly updating e-briefings and learning modules to ensure that safeguarding standards remain high.  

Managing Cases of Misbehaviour  

MSF ensures that all cases of reported misconduct are addressed with the utmost confidentiality and sensitivity:

• Our first priority is always the safety, health, and well-being of those affected.  
• We provide support services, which may include psychological care, medical care, and securing legal assistance.   
• We respect the right of survivors to decide whether they wish to pursue legal action.  
• In cases of sexual abuse against minors, MSF’s policy is to report the matter to the appropriate judicial authorities, always prioritizing the best interests of the child and the availability of safe reporting mechanisms.  

At MSF, safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility and a vital part of how we deliver principled, ethical, and respectful humanitarian action.  

For more information, including key figures from recent years, visit:  
www.msf.org/fighting-abuse-exploitation-and-harassment-our-work-environment