This study investigates the role of design against natural disasters and assumes that design must deal with complex problems. It s main interlocutors are Jorge Frascara – author of Diseño Grafico para la gente, which argues that the objective of the design practice must be the transformation of existing realities into other ones more desirable – Ulrich Beck – who, in his book Risk society, presents the globalization of risks in contemporary society – and Adam Smith, who defends the importance of empathy in human relations in his work entitled The theory of moral sentiments. This dissertation provides an overview of natural disasters and their impact on vulnerable populations. Also reports case studies conducted in places affected by disasters such as Nova Friburgo, mountainous region in the State of Rio de Janeiro and Santiago de Cuba. At the end, identifies key actions that need to be undertaken before, during and after natural disasters, presents ways in which design can act in order to minimize the effects of disasters and concludes that it s action against these events can literally be vital. This work was inspired by the Doctors without Borders – international humanitarian organization which provides assistance to populations in distress and victims of disasters and conflicts, and among its consequences are the development of international design workshops for complex problems, in partnership with organizations such as Yunus Social Business and the DWB itself.