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
![Bay Regional Hospital, Baidoa, Somalia Bay Regional Hospital, Baidoa, Somalia](https://img.msf.org/AssetLink/v18y1d06bd15k1gs1v82x8768ph35783.jpg)
Drought intensifies health crises across Somalia and Somaliland
![Juliette - Ambodrian i’Sahafary Juliette - Ambodrian i’Sahafary](https://img.msf.org/AssetLink/p08vg1f5bt7f8jt287654n6m17051tn2.jpg)
Communities devastated by cyclones in Madagascar
![Ethekwini Flooding: Flood damage Ethekwini Flooding: Flood damage](https://img.msf.org/AssetLink/u53536t31771qrp82212lko704wm6503.jpg)
Thousands homeless and at risk of disease after devastating floods
![Second cylone Emnati hit Mananjary Second cylone Emnati hit Mananjary](https://img.msf.org/AssetLink/7118tto6t47so43414g48757q8y674cq.jpg)
Cyclones cut people off from healthcare in eastern Madagascar
![Nosy Varik, Madagascar Nosy Varik, Madagascar](https://img.msf.org/AssetLink/v24510x71l3jqlpai2vx742py72246j0.jpg)
Cyclone Batsirai leaves people vulnerable to food shortages and malaria
![Cabo Delgado: A crisis far from over Cabo Delgado: A crisis far from over](https://img.msf.org/AssetLink/35nkb637x1c71gyo881w7w5fril16o53.jpg)