MSF Luxembourg marks 40 years of humanitarian action with immersive exhibition spotlighting global crises
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Luxembourg, March 18, 2026 — In 2026, the Luxembourg section of Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is celebrating 40 years of humanitarian commitment. To mark the occasion, it is presenting a flagship event: the immersive exhibition « La Grande Expo », held from March 17 to 29 at Neimënster. The exhibition’s opening took place in the presence of Rony Brauman, an emblematic figure in humanitarian work and former president of MSF France.
Founding principles unchanged: to treat, to bear witness, and to speak out
On the occasion of its 40th anniversary, MSF Luxembourg is revisiting a defining moment in its history: the controversies surrounding its operations in Ethiopia in 1985–1986. In the context of famine, MSF stood out by denouncing the diversion of aid by the Derg regime to support forced population displacements.
As Rony Brauman recalled during the March 18 press conference in Luxembourg, this dramatic episode revealed to humanitarian workers that “helping is not enough; they must also understand the political effects of their actions,” and constantly ensure that these are not instrumentalized by one side or another. This period also marked a key shift for MSF: combining medical action with speaking out.
Bearing witness is an integral part of our mission,” he insisted.
Rony Brauman also highlighted the main current crisis contexts, notably Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, alongside Gaza Strip and the broader Middle East, where MSF remains heavily engaged.
He revisited several recent challenges: the consequences of the registration system imposed by the Israeli authorities, the defamation campaign targeting the organisation, as well as the scale of medical needs in the Gaza Strip and the response provided by MSF. He also called on the European Union to significantly strengthen its humanitarian aid. In this context, MSF reaffirmed that humanitarian principles and medical assistance must remain protected from any political interference.
Addressing the issue of neutrality, Rony Brauman stressed that it does not mean silence:
Neutrality does not mean remaining silent in the face of crimes.”
For MSF, particularly in a context where humanitarian aid is deliberately targeted, it is more essential than ever to uphold this commitment to bearing witness. “If we remain silent, we become complicit,” he added, emphasizing the responsibility to report on realities in the field.
The creation of MSF Luxembourg is fully in line with this approach, combining operational commitment with ethical rigor in the service of responsible humanitarian action.
From international fieldwork to local awareness: the key role of MSF Luxembourg
“Since its first steps in 1986, with the deployment of volunteers to Ethiopia, MSF Luxembourg has successfully balanced emergency response with long-term commitment. From missions around the world to local initiatives supporting refugees and vulnerable adolescents, each action has strengthened Luxembourg’s humanitarian footprint, making the section a recognized actor within the MSF movement,” recalled Dr. Engy Ali, President of MSF Luxembourg.
Although the section has no longer conducted direct operational missions since 2010, it remains fully active in Luxembourg by raising awareness of humanitarian crises, mobilizing volunteers, and fundraising to support our programs worldwide,” she added.
Today, MSF Luxembourg brings together more than a hundred members and 37 staff to raise awareness among the population of the Grand Duchy, collect donations, recruit volunteers, and strengthen its international programs through LuxOR, its Luxembourg-based operational research unit.
A programme of initiatives driven by "La Grande Expo"
The year 2026 is marked by a rich programme of initiatives: meetings, conferences, sporting events, school activities, mapathons, and a forum on humanitarian research highlighting the contribution of the LuxOR team. These activities revolve around the flagship event, "La Grande Expo", inaugurated in the presence of H.R.H. Grand Duchess Stéphanie and open to the public until 29 March at Neimënster.
For the first time in Luxembourg, this immersive exhibition—available in French, English and German—plunges visitors into the heart of humanitarian crises by recreating the medical and logistical systems deployed by MSF around the world: access to medicines, migration, treatment of malnutrition and epidemic response. Free and open to all, it offers guided tours led by field staff, as well as educational workshops for pupils and teachers.
Today, the humanitarian world is facing attacks and obstacles of rare intensity. We need as many people as possible to better understand the core of our mission,” concludes Paul Yon, Director General of MSF
