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
![Emergency mobile clinic outside Beira, Mozambique Emergency mobile clinic outside Beira, Mozambique](https://img.msf.org/AssetLink/dr4gl3o454i1r3an8045j3ex1bd4r62p.jpg)
MSF emergency response to Cyclone Idai and flooding
![Emergency response in Nhamatanda district Emergency response in Nhamatanda district](https://img.msf.org/AssetLink/aao3dl51qaa8c30al4d1hd5rp777w6q6.jpg)
From emergency to recovery: Mozambique one month after Cyclone Idai
![MSF response to cyclone Idai in Chimanimani - Zimbabwe MSF response to cyclone Idai in Chimanimani - Zimbabwe](https://img.msf.org/AssetLink/361wd57r05k4nt3d1l7wg8jmube6848h.jpg)
Chimanimani: A community in distress after Cyclone Idai
![MSF response to cyclone Idai in Chimanimani - Zimbabwe MSF response to cyclone Idai in Chimanimani - Zimbabwe](https://img.msf.org/AssetLink/84gtb40a83lsp8ycq2uqu2n6mj88t807.jpg)
The first six days after Cyclone Idai in Zimbabwe
![Response to flooding in Southern Africa - Malawi Response to flooding in Southern Africa - Malawi](https://img.msf.org/AssetLink/os8d7kk8nvoq47rv3s2e8gv5aflgcub5.jpg)
Malawi: “This time, the flooding has destroyed houses, not lives”
![Mobile Clinics in Ponta Gea, Beira area. Mobile Clinics in Ponta Gea, Beira area.](https://img.msf.org/AssetLink/60ykb4n80nt102b455k0e15jjq0l1trs.jpg)