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.
Featured
![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
![Providing healthcare among the rubble in Jindires Providing healthcare among the rubble in Jindires](https://img.msf.org/AssetLink/1ycshla5gd84q8d7u1padxr0060s7s82.jpg)
Six months of humanitarian action after earthquakes in northwest Syria
![A young boy rows a canoe A young boy rows a canoe](https://img.msf.org/AssetLink/7if31utw57a4b0tfa273trvwcg56bkr6.jpg)
Communities in South Sudan prepare for flooding ahead of rainy season
![Flooding in A Nout Ye IDP camp in Pauktaw, Rakhine State, Myanmar on the 21st June, over one month since Cyclone Mocha Flooding in A Nout Ye IDP camp in Pauktaw, Rakhine State, Myanmar on the 21st June, over one month since Cyclone Mocha](https://img.msf.org/AssetLink/1b3cyn7543b8820246se0r5fcxt833ee.jpg)
Cyclone Mocha: Aid efforts severely hampered by new restrictions
![Responding to the acute needs in Türkiye Responding to the acute needs in Türkiye](https://img.msf.org/AssetLink/f5b220wok74312va26s8lc1wkhj5sx47.jpg)
People's needs stack up months after earthquake in Türkiye
![Rotation 18 - Life on deck Rotation 18 - Life on deck](https://img.msf.org/AssetLink/67x5re58bnmj214q51402427670wg1m6.jpg)
Year in Review 2022
![Responding to the acute needs in Türkiye Responding to the acute needs in Türkiye](https://img.msf.org/AssetLink/4mgcrs5428e00l0x51km48sp0jxsb85o.jpg)