Just as a couple quick example to try and make a little sense, research has shown that there can be a short term sharp increase in sudden cardiac deaths after a traumatic event such as a disaster or being caught up in conflict ( Population-Based Incidence of Sudden Cardiac and Unexpected Death Before and After the 2011 Earthquake and Tsunami in Iwate, Northeast Japan ) Hospital facilities are often damaged or overwhelmed. If we could provide automated defibrillators to replace or expand hospital stock or distributed to shelter camps there could be a significant increase in survivors. This would require at least circuit board creation, pick and place filling of circuit board, cutting of an injection moulding die for the case and paddles, cutting of metal contact for paddles and a means of safety testing/calibration.

On the other end of the scale, rapid restoration of basic services has been shown to have a long term impact on the stability of the region. Time is critical because the longer there is disruption the greater the likelihood of migration and the breakdown of social ties that help keep a community from drifting back into unrest. Being able to provide replacement parts such as water pumps, filter housings, etc. can be as important to maintaining the peace as troops were to securing it. In the case of a pump, a wax model cut on a lightweight CNC mill could provide an investment casting mould. An induction furnace could melt stock dropped in, locally sourced or even recycled. This could make the difference between days or months, depending on complexity and remoteness.

I know it sounds pretty far fetched but I think there is scope for making a real difference with tools like those on this site and others.