Within a matter of minutes, natural disasters can affect the lives of tens of thousands of people. Hundreds or even thousands of people can be injured, homes and livelihoods destroyed. Access to clean water, healthcare services and transport can also be disrupted. The impact of each disaster varies greatly and our response must adapt to each situation.
Needs must be quickly identified, but accessing a disaster zone can be complex when roads are cut off. The first responders are people already on-site: community members, local authorities and aid organisations already present.
We keep pre-packaged kits to deploy for rapid relief and life-saving assistance. With projects in over 75 countries, we often have aid workers nearby when a disaster strikes. They can be reinforced with additional teams if a larger response is needed.
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![Zimbabwe Zimbabwe](https://img.msf.org/AssetLink/v86a371mxs821vntb06516p7cd28tcx8.jpg)
Voices from the field
The confluence of the three rivers, Nyahode, Rusitu and Chipita, was a source of terror to the residents of Copper.Dr Elizabeth Irungu
![Landslides in Mocoa, Colombia Landslides in Mocoa, Colombia](https://img.msf.org/AssetLink/65e13l27y1l458160272s862qo818f5d.jpg)
MSF provides medical and psychosocial assistance to people affected by the landslide in Mocoa
![MSF Response to Nepal Earthquake Extreme Medicine Exhibition Print MSF Response to Nepal Earthquake Extreme Medicine Exhibition Print](https://img.msf.org/Docs/MSF/Media/TR3/4/2/e/6/MSF187594.jpg)
MSF Evaluation Unit: reports on MSF disaster response
![Aid Drops In Remote Areas Of Haiti Aid Drops In Remote Areas Of Haiti](https://img.msf.org/Docs/MSF/Media/CMS3/3/1/9/f/MSF183100.jpg)
Massive distribution of building materials, three months after Matthew
![HAITI Hurricane Matthew Response, Port-à-Piment mobile clinics HAITI Hurricane Matthew Response, Port-à-Piment mobile clinics](https://img.msf.org/AssetLink/1udw6261r830mf7wf7kwp3j6q11707h2.jpg)
Health status two months after Hurricane Matthew, in the hardest-hit provinces
![Visit Dolo Ado Visit Dolo Ado](https://img.msf.org/AssetLink/5w5x1ip531ysa2j56y7h73462546wc6a.jpg)
Refugees in border town of Dolo Ado escape drought and insecurity of Somalia
![MSF Clinic In Jérémie, Haiti MSF Clinic In Jérémie, Haiti](https://img.msf.org/AssetLink/e38gh13qrd40s37582i4vd1bqj643q43.jpg)