MSF – MÉDECINS SANS FRONTIÈRES
WRITTEN EXAM 2026/2027 | LATEST
ACTUAL EXAM | VERIFIED QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT ANSWERS | UPDATED
EDITION | GRADED A+
SECTION 1: MSF HISTORY, CHARTER & FOUNDING
PRINCIPLES (Questions 1-40)
1. When was Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) founded?
A) 1945
B) 1971
C) 1985
D) 1999
Answer: B
Rationale: MSF was founded in 1971 by a group of French doctors and journalists,
following their experience in the Biafran famine (1967-1970). The organization later
received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1999 .
2. What event directly led to the creation of MSF?
A) The Rwandan genocide
B) The Biafran famine
C) The Haitian earthquake
D) The Ethiopian famine
Answer: B
Rationale: The 1967-1970 Biafran famine led French doctors to realize that
,humanitarian action required not just medical care but also speaking out against
injustice. This "témoignage" (bearing witness) became a core pillar of MSF .
3. Which of the following are the three core pillars of MSF's charter?
A) Neutrality, Impartiality, Independence
B) Medical ethics, Bearing witness, Accountability
C) Medical action, Bearing witness (témoignage), Operational independence
D) Humanity, Neutrality, Solidarity
Answer: C
Rationale: The MSF Charter defines medical action, bearing witness (speaking out
against injustices), and operational independence as the three pillars. Neutrality and
impartiality are means to achieve these, not the pillars themselves .
4. MSF's first mission took place in which country?
A) Honduras
B) Nicaragua
C) Cambodia
D) Biafra
Answer: B
Rationale: MSF's first task was in Nicaragua's capital Managua following an earthquake
in 1972. Between 10,000 and 30,000 people died .
5. How many volunteers did MSF have by 1972?
A) 13
B) 100
C) 300
D) 1,000
,Answer: C
Rationale: By 1972, MSF had grown to 300 volunteers, including the thirteen original
founders .
6. What is the official motto of MSF in English?
A) "First, do no harm"
B) "Healing the wounded, bearing witness"
C) "Doctors Without Borders"
D) "Neutrality saves lives"
Answer: C
Rationale: The English translation of Médecins Sans Frontières is "Doctors Without
Borders" .
7. The "Chantilly Principles" (2005) emphasize:
A) Financial transparency only
B) Operational partnership with the UN
C) MSF's right to speak out independently of state or institutional interests
D) Use of armed force for protection
Answer: C
Rationale: The Chantilly Principles reaffirm MSF's independence in public advocacy and
témoignage .
8. Which document outlines MSF's ethical and operational principles?
A) Geneva Conventions
B) MSF Charter
C) Sphere Handbook
D) UN OCHA Guidelines
, Answer: B
Rationale: The MSF Charter is the founding document; the Chantilly Principles further
detail operational ethics .
9. MSF's principle of "impartiality" means:
A) Treating only those who can pay
B) Treating patients based solely on medical need, not identity or affiliation
C) Avoiding all media contact
D) Working only with government health ministries
Answer: B
Rationale: Impartiality dictates no discrimination based on race, religion, political
affiliation, or side in conflict .
10. Which of the following is NOT a core MSF principle?
A) Neutrality
B) Impartiality
C) Profit maximization
D) Independence
Answer: C
Rationale: MSF is a nonprofit humanitarian organization. Profit maximization
contradicts its mission .
11. MSF's operational independence means:
A) They take orders from the host government
B) They refuse all donations
C) They make decisions based on medical needs, not political or donor interests
D) They only work alone, never with other NGOs
WRITTEN EXAM 2026/2027 | LATEST
ACTUAL EXAM | VERIFIED QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT ANSWERS | UPDATED
EDITION | GRADED A+
SECTION 1: MSF HISTORY, CHARTER & FOUNDING
PRINCIPLES (Questions 1-40)
1. When was Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) founded?
A) 1945
B) 1971
C) 1985
D) 1999
Answer: B
Rationale: MSF was founded in 1971 by a group of French doctors and journalists,
following their experience in the Biafran famine (1967-1970). The organization later
received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1999 .
2. What event directly led to the creation of MSF?
A) The Rwandan genocide
B) The Biafran famine
C) The Haitian earthquake
D) The Ethiopian famine
Answer: B
Rationale: The 1967-1970 Biafran famine led French doctors to realize that
,humanitarian action required not just medical care but also speaking out against
injustice. This "témoignage" (bearing witness) became a core pillar of MSF .
3. Which of the following are the three core pillars of MSF's charter?
A) Neutrality, Impartiality, Independence
B) Medical ethics, Bearing witness, Accountability
C) Medical action, Bearing witness (témoignage), Operational independence
D) Humanity, Neutrality, Solidarity
Answer: C
Rationale: The MSF Charter defines medical action, bearing witness (speaking out
against injustices), and operational independence as the three pillars. Neutrality and
impartiality are means to achieve these, not the pillars themselves .
4. MSF's first mission took place in which country?
A) Honduras
B) Nicaragua
C) Cambodia
D) Biafra
Answer: B
Rationale: MSF's first task was in Nicaragua's capital Managua following an earthquake
in 1972. Between 10,000 and 30,000 people died .
5. How many volunteers did MSF have by 1972?
A) 13
B) 100
C) 300
D) 1,000
,Answer: C
Rationale: By 1972, MSF had grown to 300 volunteers, including the thirteen original
founders .
6. What is the official motto of MSF in English?
A) "First, do no harm"
B) "Healing the wounded, bearing witness"
C) "Doctors Without Borders"
D) "Neutrality saves lives"
Answer: C
Rationale: The English translation of Médecins Sans Frontières is "Doctors Without
Borders" .
7. The "Chantilly Principles" (2005) emphasize:
A) Financial transparency only
B) Operational partnership with the UN
C) MSF's right to speak out independently of state or institutional interests
D) Use of armed force for protection
Answer: C
Rationale: The Chantilly Principles reaffirm MSF's independence in public advocacy and
témoignage .
8. Which document outlines MSF's ethical and operational principles?
A) Geneva Conventions
B) MSF Charter
C) Sphere Handbook
D) UN OCHA Guidelines
, Answer: B
Rationale: The MSF Charter is the founding document; the Chantilly Principles further
detail operational ethics .
9. MSF's principle of "impartiality" means:
A) Treating only those who can pay
B) Treating patients based solely on medical need, not identity or affiliation
C) Avoiding all media contact
D) Working only with government health ministries
Answer: B
Rationale: Impartiality dictates no discrimination based on race, religion, political
affiliation, or side in conflict .
10. Which of the following is NOT a core MSF principle?
A) Neutrality
B) Impartiality
C) Profit maximization
D) Independence
Answer: C
Rationale: MSF is a nonprofit humanitarian organization. Profit maximization
contradicts its mission .
11. MSF's operational independence means:
A) They take orders from the host government
B) They refuse all donations
C) They make decisions based on medical needs, not political or donor interests
D) They only work alone, never with other NGOs
