MSF: Publicity Stunt or Organizational Values?

On May 5^th MSF / Doctors Without Borders announced it was pulling out of the much anticipated World Humanitarian Summit. In an official statement, it stated:

• "We no longer have any hope that the WHS will address the weaknesses in humanitarian action and emergency response, particularly in conflict areas or epidemic situations. Instead, the WHS's focus would seem to be an incorporation of humanitarian assistance into a broader development and resilience agenda. Further, the summit neglects to reinforce the obligations of states to uphold and implement the humanitarian and refugee laws which they have signed up to." (Press Release)
  

What drove these strong words? For one, in 2015 there were 75 hospitals managed or supported by the organization that were bombed. 

While some may criticize the choice, value-based and value-driven decisions have been a key part of its organizational action. In the 1970s, the organization was founded in protest against the Red Cross and its refusal to speak out against the Nigerian government. In 1984/5 the organization spoke out against the Government of Ethiopia for its role in the massive loss of life from its resettlement program, which resulted in it ending operations there. Recently it pulled out of a key refugee landing point in Greece due to unfair and inhumane conditions.The organization works in dangerous places, but it pulled out of Afghanistan in 2004 after its staff were killed. It left Somalia in 2013 due to rising due to an environment wherein violence and threats of violence against humanitarian workers became increasingly tolerated, and in some cases supported. 

Pulling out is not new and doing so has not always been positively received. It has demonstrated organizational values.