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
![Haiti earthquake - Jérémy Haiti earthquake - Jérémy](https://img.msf.org/AssetLink/iqo350560s61qnx8y52k617mfk7y4k1k.jpg)
After the earthquake, a surgical team works nonstop
![Haiti earthquake Haiti earthquake](https://img.msf.org/AssetLink/42ugi023wx72y5trn3ugo680pmdr0r46.jpg)
Death, destruction and thousands of injured people in wake of Haiti earthquake
![Goma - Free access to urgent health care Goma - Free access to urgent health care](https://img.msf.org/AssetLink/v28m355e1427x0n8eyx4h2112jo3uv52.jpg)
Helping each other after the eruption of Nyiragongo
![Sake - Free access to urgent health care for populations on the move Sake - Free access to urgent health care for populations on the move](https://img.msf.org/AssetLink/pg2wvu6ahb8820js32tav2qpnl58wp3a.jpg)
People struggling to find food, water, shelter after east DRC volcano eruption
![Water distribution in Sake, North Kivu, DRC Water distribution in Sake, North Kivu, DRC](https://img.msf.org/AssetLink/y362cq44pm2182m4143gah1nb884y624.jpg)
Further assistance urgently needed for people following DRC volcano eruption
![Impact of hurricanes Eta and Lota Impact of hurricanes Eta and Lota](https://img.msf.org/AssetLink/j33f0l2ddi8m0ri6l62hh386hmy42l1n.jpg)