Habitat Plans to House 25,000 Families Starting This Month

BANGKOK, 11th January 2005: Habitat for Humanity is to house up to 25,000 families in tsunami-affected countries, as a first-phase response, which will require an investment from donors and others of around US$25 million.

Groundbreaking for the first replacement homes is set to begin later this month in Sri Lanka. Habitat's plan is initially for transitional housing, to be extended to permanent housing projects in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India and Thailand.

Moving out of camps

Steve Weir, Vice President for Habitat for Humanity in Asia-Pacific, said, "The families most impacted were the very poor and there is a serious need to get them out of the camps and back onto their own land as soon as possible.

"Not only are many of the relief camps growing unsafe, but they have moved families away from the limited sources of livelihood that they have. Getting them back into shelter on their own land soon must be our first priority."

“Core” and “Kit” transitional housing

The transitional "core" house will consist of a permanent one-room structure with a veranda and sanitary facilities.

The aim is to build the structures on land sites already owned by families. The transitional houses will follow Habitat's "First Shelter" model for disaster relief and will not require repayment.

To move quickly and reach more people, Habitat will also offer simpler "kit" housing structures in several locations. This will comprise of a frame and a roof which could be dismantled and relocated if necessary. Flooring and walls will be made of temporary materials such as bamboo.

HFHI will continue to work with families in transitional housing to extend and improve the structures, built on the Habitat model of homeowner involvement in developing and purchasing their homes.

Building Training Centers

Habitat will develop interim Disaster Response Technical Centers in the affected countries. Initially, these centers will provide technical expertise and assistance to families, Habitat affiliates and partner organizations in the first stages of reconstruction.

The aim is for these centers to develop into Building Training Centers, teaching people how to build their own homes and how to make and use affordable construction materials such as earth blocks, roofing tiles, and doors, windows and frames – using local knowledge and materials.

Through these centers, Habitat could offer tens of thousands of additional families in affected areas the opportunity for better shelter. Habitat’s reconstruction plan will require a commitment of about US$25 million over the next two years and will involve special appeals to the general public worldwide, corporate partners, association partners and foundations.

Pledges and donations to date both from North America, Europe and, locally, in Indonesia, India, Sri Lanka and Thailand suggest that more than half the US$25 million has already been sourced.

You can help the efforts of the Habitat for Humanity Disaster Response Office by a donation to the Asia Tsunami Response Fund.