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
![Flood victims in Tana River County, Kenya Flood victims in Tana River County, Kenya](https://img.msf.org/Docs/MSF/Media/CMS3/0/6/d/5/MSF134928.jpg)
Help needed for people displaced by flooding
![Mozambique - Floods in Gaza Province Mozambique - Floods in Gaza Province](https://img.msf.org/AssetLink/1gm85j43n5gq53sp8p141137ra84lk41.jpg)
Emergency response to flooding
![Limpopo river floods in South Africa - January2013 Limpopo river floods in South Africa - January2013](https://img.msf.org/Docs/MSF/Media/CMS3/8/8/3/2/MSF130874.jpg)
flooding displaces thousands, Mozambique worst affected
![Response to Typhoon Bopha, Philippines Response to Typhoon Bopha, Philippines](https://img.msf.org/AssetLink/yjlkr5bhagn32t5c8sxl0e8spi4em3ey.jpg)
MSF team runs mobile clinics following typhoon
![Doctors Without Borders Teams Filling Gaps in Medical Aid for People Affected by Hurricane Sandy Doctors Without Borders Teams Filling Gaps in Medical Aid for People Affected by Hurricane Sandy](https://img.msf.org/Docs/MSF/Media/CMS3/6/e/a/3/MSF126379.jpg)
MSF filling gaps in medical aid for people affected by Hurricane Sandy
![Floods in Nigeria - 2012 Floods in Nigeria - 2012](https://img.msf.org/AssetLink/u1g826pa8vd8e0i0k1f3agalgfyoio18.jpg)