Medecins Sans Frontieres (UK)
Analysis
Medecins Sans Frontieres (UK) is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in London. It was registered in September 1993, 33 years ago. Its declared purposes cover education/training, the advancement of health or saving of lives and overseas aid/famine relief, which this site groups under health and saving lives. Legally it is a charitable company (Companies House number 02853011). It says it makes grants to individuals, makes grants to organisations and provides human resources.
In the financial year ending December 2025, Medecins Sans Frontieres (UK) reported income of £104.7m and spending of £104.3m, spending 100% of its income. Across the 5 years on record, from December 2021 to December 2025, income grew from £68.0m to £104.7m (+54%), an average of +11% a year. Over the whole period it spent 99% of the income it received.
Among 24,651 England and Wales charities whose main cause is health and saving lives and that reported income, Medecins Sans Frontieres (UK) sits at the 100th percentile: it is one of the largest 1% in its cause. Against every charity in England and Wales with reported income it ranks in the 100th percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Sue Ryder (£104.7m), Human Appeal (£105.1m) and International Rescue Committee, U.k (£104.1m).
In its latest detailed accounts, income came from donations and legacies 99%. Gifts in wills alone brought in £28.3m. Charitable activities took 84% of spending and raising funds 16%. Grants to other organisations totalled £71.5m. Reserves of £6.2m would cover about 1 months of spending at that rate. It employed 194 people.
Income and spending
Where the income comes from
- Donations 72%
- Legacies 27%
- Charitable activities 0.8%
- Investments 0.4%
- Other 0.1%
In the charity's own words
To relieve and promote the relief of sickness and to provide medical aid to the injured and to protect and preserve good health by the provision of medical supplies, personnel and procedures calculated to overcome disease, injury or malnutrition in any part of the world in accordance with the principles espoused by the International Council of Medecins Sans Frontieres in October 1990.
Similar-sized charities, same cause
| Charity | Location | Income |
|---|---|---|
| Sue Ryder | Essex | £104.7m |
| Human Appeal | Cheshire | £105.1m |
| International Rescue Committee, U.k | London | £104.1m |
| Nursing and Midwifery Council | London | £108.7m |