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
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Hundreds injured and serious damage to medical facilities after Haiti earthquake
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MSF helps Hurricane Ida survivors in El Salvador
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Adapting to changing needs one month after the Indonesian earthquake
![Ondoy Typhon , Angono, novembre 2009. Ondoy Typhon , Angono, novembre 2009.](https://img.msf.org/AssetLink/6bs330sl7m3lt2u50fct51wrrauxg61p.jpg)
Struck twice by tropical storms, MSF works with the most vulnerable
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The emergency phase is mostly over. We are now entering the recovery stage.
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