We often hear it said within MSF that the aid system is unable to provide effective relief, or that the aid system’s ability to provide aid is in decline. These statements, which suggest that MSF is itself outside the "system", are based on the very real number of people in relief operations who need help but do not receive it, or do not receive enough of it. 

We often hear it said within MSF that the aid system is unable to provide effective relief, or that the aid system's ability to provide aid is in decline. Rony Brauman and Michaël Neuman aim at exploring MSF's relationship with the aid system, while showing how the ambitions of the aid system itself have evolved.

Depuis plusieurs années, quelques médias publient périodiquement des classements d’Associations caritatives. Jusqu’à présent cette démarche prend appui sur des indicateurs de gestion financière. L’impact environnemental des interventions humanitaires n’est pas pris en compte. Pourtant cette indifférence n’est pas générale: de plus en plus se développent des réflexions et débats sur la responsabilité environnementale des organisations humanitaires.

This brief article aims to clarify some of the central concerns held by organisations like Médecins sans Frontières as regards the approach and the application of uniform set of standards to respond to the needs of people in distress.