Within a matter of minutes, natural hazards 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 event 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.
Malawi: “This time, the flooding has destroyed houses, not lives”
Featured
“A lot of water” - on the ground after Cyclone Idai in Mozambique
Humanitarian response in wake of devastating Cyclone Idai
MSF supports health centres tending to Sunda Strait tsunami victims in Indonesia
Research & Analysis
MSF Evaluation Unit: reports on MSF disaster response