Doctors Without Borders/Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) is an international humanitarian organization that was created in 1971. MSF provides aid to nearly 60 countries. These are war-torn regions and developing countries -- whose population is threatened by violence, natural disasters, endemics, devastation, "exclusion from health care" or worse -- starvation. MSF functions independently. It does not side with any one political party or government -- MSF believes in giving medical care to all people regardless of their affiliation.
With this level of international support -- over 27,000 volunteers, 19 offices worldwide, providing aid in countries such as Colombia, Somalia and Sri Lanka -- MSF requires considerable capital. They are a privately financed organization. As such, they partnered with Microsoft, Apple Corps Ltd, MTV Games and Harmonix and were able to raise $217,780. This money was raised through the global sales of "All You Need Is Love" on Xbox LIVE and the limited edition "The Beatles: Rock Band" for Xbox 360 consoles. This effort took place between September 9, 2009 and January 31, 2010.
We are incredibly grateful for the generosity of people around the world who have contributed to us through the download of "All You Need Is Love" and the sales of the one-of-a-kind Xbox console," said Dr. Matthew Spitzer, president of the Board of Directors for MSF-USA. "It is because of funds generated from initiatives such as this that MSF was able to respond to the Haiti earthquake so quickly, providing urgent lifesaving medical care immediately in the aftermath," he added. "With your continued support, we will be able to carry on our medical work in more than 60 countries to assist people whose survival is threatened by violence, neglect, or catastrophe. On behalf of our patients, MSF says 'Thank You.'"
Doctor's Without Boarders has been working in Haiti since 1991. They have an intimate understanding of the people and their medical needs. MSF now have over 800 staff in Haiti and were able to quickly setup emergency triage centers and began helping the injured.
Below is a very quick video on the great work that is being done by Doctors Without Borders.