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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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
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MSF starts reaching people in remote mountain regions by helicopter and on foot following the earthquake
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“Some villages are 80-100 percent destroyed. It was beyond my expectations.”
![Mobile clinic in Sindhupalchowk and Pasuwa districts, Nepal Mobile clinic in Sindhupalchowk and Pasuwa districts, Nepal](https://img.msf.org/Docs/MSF/Media/CMS3/0/a/7/1/MSF145076.jpg)
MSF doctor describes the challenge of getting aid to hardest hit areas
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MSF teams have arrived and are assessing needs
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MSF sending teams and supplies to Nepal
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