Doctors of the World, also know by its French name Médecins du Monde,  is an international humanitarian organization providing medical care to vulnerable populations affected by war, natural disasters, disease, famine, poverty or exclusion.

Originally established in France in 1980, Doctors of the World is now an international network that has offices in 15 countries - Argentina, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Greece, the Netherlands, Italy, Japan, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland, the UK, and the USA.
The international network head office, based in Paris, coordinates activities and communications between member organizations.

In 2010, Doctors of the World’s global network used $152 million to run 365 programs that provided medical care for more than 1.6 million individuals in 78 countries.

Although Doctors of the World’s primary aim is to provide medical care, work goes further to ensure long-lasting effectiveness. Doctors of the World draws on experience on the ground to overcome obstacles to healthcare and to advocate for change.

Doctors of the World’s work depends on the efforts of more than 3,000 medical and other professionals who volunteer their time. Thanks to their dedication and expertise, Doctors of the World is able to run high-quality emergency and development programs abroad, while minimizing costs.

What Doctors of the World Does
The international work of doctors of the world focuses on four key themes: conflict and crisis, sexual and reproductive health, harm reduction and the fight against hiv, and migrant health.

Conflict & Crisis
For more than 30 years, Doctors of the World has been providing urgent medical care where existing services have been destroyed or disrupted by conflicts and natural disasters. In many developing countries, however, the need to strengthen fragile health systems continues after an emergency.

Doctors of the World begins an emergency response with the long term in mind, focusing on reinforcing local health personnel and structures so that they are better able to provide medical care - and better equipped to take on another emergency.

Affected Populations
Fleeing persecution, violence, poverty, and war, and seeking freedom and a better future for their children - these are some of the motivations that drive a person to leave country, livelihood, family and friends for an uncertain future. Upon arrival in a new country, they often face rejection and exclusion, as well as violence and obstacles to accessing medical care.

Doctors of the World has a long history of working with affected populations throughout the world. Often, Doctors of the World provide assistance on the countries of origin of migrants as well as in transit countries.

HIV/AIDS
Doctors of the World has been fighting against HIV for more than 20 years, in both rich and poor countries, working on high-impact prevention methods with at-risk groups, providing HIV counseling and testing services, and providing antiretroviral treatment.

Drawing on experience reducing the harm associated with high-risk practices in developed countries, Doctors of the World is leading innovative programs to tackle emerging problems in developing countries.

Women & Children's Health
Doctors of the World considers women and children a high priority and provide pre-natal and pediatric care, vaccinations, as well as preventive healthcare to fight the spred of HIV/AIDS. Doctors of the World, with programs in countries with some of the highest maternal and child mortality rates, works with others in the humanitarian field to provide long-term, sustainable solutions that improve health, and save lives.