UPSC Prelims 2016 Q51: Current Affairs – International Organisations & Groupings
'Doctors Without Borders (Medecins Sans Frontieres)', often in the news, is
- (a) a division of World Health Organization
- (b) a non - governmental international organization
- (c) an inter - governmental agency sponsored by European Union
- (d) a specialized agency of the United Nations
Answer: (b) a non - governmental international organization
Explanation
Doctors Without Borders (Medecins Sans Frontieres, MSF)
MSF is an international non-governmental organization that gives emergency medical aid.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1971, Paris, by doctors and journalists |
| Works in | War zones, epidemics, natural disasters |
| Funding | Mostly private donations, which keeps it independent |
| Award | Nobel Peace Prize, 1999 |
| Principles | Neutrality, impartiality, independence |
The options checked:
| Option | Verdict |
|---|---|
| (a) A division of World Health Organization | Incorrect |
| (b) A non-governmental international organization | Correct |
| (c) An inter-governmental agency sponsored by European Union | Incorrect |
| (d) A specialized agency of the United Nations | Incorrect |
Answer: (b) a non-governmental international organization.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. MSF is independent; it is not a division of the World Health Organization.
- (b) CORRECT. MSF is a non-governmental international organization for medical aid.
- (c) Incorrect. It is not an inter-governmental agency and is not sponsored by the European Union.
- (d) Incorrect. It is not a specialized agency of the United Nations.
Key point
Medecins Sans Frontieres: international medical NGO founded in Paris in 1971; funded by private donations; Nobel Peace Prize 1999.
Remember
MSF = medical NGO, Paris 1971, Nobel 1999.
Common mistakes
- Assuming any global health body belongs to the WHO or the UN.
- Thinking a French name means an EU agency.
- Confusing MSF with the Red Cross, a separate humanitarian movement.
Exam tip
'Without Borders' bodies are NGOs: Doctors Without Borders, Reporters Without Borders.
Sources
- Medecins Sans Frontieres — Who we are
- Nobel Prize — The Nobel Peace Prize 1999