Hundreds of hospitals and heath facilities are destroyed or damaged every year by disasters caused by natural hazards such as earthquakes, hurricanes and floods.

After the 2003 Algerian earthquake, 50% of the health facilities in the affected region were damaged. In the worst affected region after the Pakistan earthquake 49% of health facilities weren’t able to offer health care because they were completely destroyed.

In August, 2007 within two minutes, the city of Pisco, Peru lost 97% of its hospital beds to an 8.0 magnitude earthquake. China's Wenchuan earthquake, resulting in major infrastructural loss including 52% of the health facilities and hospitals.

Kammuri flooded, damaged or destroyed 61 health facilities, including provincial hospitals, in 5 provinces in Viet Nam in August 2008.

In January 2009, abundant rains in Fiji flooded hospitals and health centers and destroyed their water pipe and sewage lines disrupting health care to people who need them most. Supplies for laboratory reagents and blood were limited. Health workers had to extend duty hours to give appropriate care to patients.