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Tsunami Response Update From
Habitat
BANGKOK, 4th January 2005: Habitat for Humanity
national organizations around the Asia- Pacific region are
mobilizing in response to the Indian Ocean tsunami disaster.
Plans are being constructed in line with the Habitat ministry
aim of providing sustainable solutions to the housing needs
of poor communities. Immediate disaster-relief responses are
also being put in place.
SRI LANKA
HFH Sri Lanka is working with other organizations to develop
a prototype core shelter for the tens of thousands of families
left homeless. The prototype is a 120 sq. ft. single-room shelter
that can be extended with additional rooms in the future.
In Batticaloa alone, some homeowners are still missing, and
at least 20 Habitat homes were destroyed. The foundations
of many affected Habitat homes seem to have remained stable,
whilst anything above the foundations was destroyed.
Using remaining materials from damaged homes, HFH Sri Lanka
hopes to be able to rebuild "core" houses for as
little as US$100 each.
More than 2,000 Habitat families and 2,628 participants of
Habitat's "Save & Build" program were in areas
hardest hit by the tsunami: Galle, Matara, Hambantota, Batticaloa,
Wattala and Trincomalee. Assessments are ongoing, with further
teams being sent to the areas most in need.
INDONESIA
Indonesia has been the country worst affected by the earthquake
and tsunamis. More than 80,000 are reported dead and at least
100,000 people have been displaced.
HFH Indonesia is responding with plans being submitted to
the Bank of Indonesia (central bank) to take part in a bold
rehabilitation program in Aceh, on the northern part of Sumatra
island, and Nias, an island in the Indian Ocean about 125
km. west of Sumatra.
The target, still to be confirmed and resourced, is for Habitat
to build 5,000 houses as a part of the country's overall disaster
response program. HFH Indonesia's main program is in Java.
INDIA
In India, Chennai and Kanyakumari affiliates have sent volunteers
and staff out to help with relief efforts. At present, it
appears that no Habitat homes in India were damaged
One of HFH India's established partners, the Discipleship
Center, has asubstantial relief effort under way based out
of the Chennai area. Habitat partnered with the Discipleship
Center during the final stages of the Gujarat earthquake response.
Prior to the tsunami, the two partners worked together in
Rajasthan and are developing a partnership to assist families
living in the slums of Delhi.
THAILAND
In Thailand, the Bangkok-based HFH operation is devising a response
for the south and has commitments of finance and building materials
from Thai banking and corporate supporters. HFH Thailand's
main activities are in the north and northeast of the country.
MALAYSIA
HFH Malaysia was working with local community leaders to establish
a Habitat affiliate on the north-western island of Penang before
the disaster. An assessment team is due to visit soon. Though
less affected than other locations, there was damage in Penang,
as well as in Kedah, the peninsula state across to the east
of island. The government of Malaysia has plans to replace
or repair all the houses lost in Penang.
Unofficial diplomatic sources say at least 168 homes were
destroyed in Kedah and thousands of fishing families have
been left homeless.
BANGLADESH
In Bangladesh, a country familiar with cyclones and severe flooding,
HFH Bangladesh reports that the tsunami had weakened considerably
by the time it hit. There was a tidal surge in coastal areas,
two fishermen were reported lost and several others were missing
in the Bay of Bengal.
HFH Bangladesh has no activity in the coastal belt of Bangladesh,
Most affiliates are active in the centre and north of the
country.
You can help the efforts of the
Habitat for Humanity Disaster Response Office by a donation
to the Asia
Tsunami Response Fund.
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