THAILAND: Habitat Aid and Reconstruction

BANGKOK, 17th January 2005: The first of two proposed Habitat for Humanity building centers in southern Thailand could be functioning next month in Phang Nga.

HFH Thailand is to be the implementing agency for building and repairing as many as 1,000 transitional homes, through these centers in Phang Nga and Krabi, two of the six southern provinces badly hit by the tsunamis.

Tent city: Displaced villagers of Baan Nam Khem in southern Thailand

The centers would initially be disaster response technical centers to aid in recovery. The plan is to then transform the centers into into building and training centers, teaching construction skills and making building materials.

The centers will provide long-term technical support and expertise for families and agencies. Families receiving compensation from the government to rebuild their homes are in particular need of help with how to actually do the work.

Some of Habitat's work is associated with"We Love Thailand", a consortium of Christian international non-governmental organizations and Thai churches.The consortium includes Food for Hunger International, which has its international head office in Bangkok, World Vision, World Concern, Youth With a Mission Relief and Rehabilitation, Christ Church of Bangkok, and Habitat.

The consortium proposes to help rebuild up to five affected fishing communities, with Habitat providing the housing component. The other consortium members will address livelihood and community issues. The priority is for new small boats and fishing equipment so people can get back to work.

A survey to the area revealed that though many homes were destroyed, many more need repairs. In one village, Baan Tap La Mu, 22 homes were destroyed and 78 were damaged - half of them seriously. A further dozen families were afraid to return to live near the water and wanted to be relocated. The village has approximately 650 families.

In Baan Nai Rai, 63 of 107 homes were destroyed. In addition, land needs to be acquired for around 33 families who were squatters or had no clear land title deeds.

In Baan Koh Nok, 11 homes were destroyed. In Baan Sarasin with 100 homes, 57 need repairs, and some of them require major work.

HFH Thailand is also expecting to launch a program from the second building center, based in neighboring Krabi. Both building centers are expected to be functioning by March.

HFH Thailand has received a six-figure, US-dollar pledge from one major local bank. There has also been strong support from the local business community. A large building materials group is offering substantial quantities of building materials.

HFH Thailand does not have prior activities in the tsunami-affected South; previous work has consentrated in the north-east. However, Habitat is joining the national reconstruction effort. As well as disaster response centers and technical building training centers, HFH Thailand has set the target to build 1,000 "core " homes costing around US$750 each.

In Thailand and Indonesia, in particular, HFHI may provide significant capacity-building support to strengthen national organizations.