Habitat for Humanity’s Disaster Response

The devastating effects of disasters
Devastating natural disasters happen around the world every year. War, conflict and civil unrest also create millions of refugees and internally displaced people. Families left homeless by disasters and refugees returning to their homelands face uncertain futures, often confronting dire housing needs as they struggle to rebuild their lives.

Rebuilding lives and communities
Habitat for Humanity International recognizes the need to provide shelter and housing solutions to help families recover. Habitat’s Disaster Response program works with the global Habitat community in the areas of disaster mitigation, preparedness, shelter and long-term recovery initiatives. Disaster Response focuses on the housing needs that arise from natural disasters and humanitarian emergency conflicts.

The mission of Habitat’s Disaster Response is to develop innovative housing and shelter assistance models that generate sustainable interventions for people vulnerable to or affected by disasters or conflicts. In addition, Disaster Response builds the capacity of the global Habitat community in the areas of disaster mitigation, preparedness and recovery through education, training and partnerships.

Habitat’s response to disasters

Habitat’s Disaster Response offers consultation in the areas of technical information; program design and implementation; and disaster response policies, protocols and procedures. It also provides support and informational resources for disaster mitigation and preparedness for affiliates and national programs located in disaster-prone areas. To date, more than 50,000 families have been served under various Habitat disaster response initiatives worldwide.

By giving the communities the means to rebuild, Habitat has been able to:

• Support, empower and work with families in building recovery shelter and housing solutions.
• Create new, integrated communities.
• Develop new Habitat affiliates.
• Educate the public on various aspects of shelter and house construction.
• Foster partnerships and alliances with businesses, intergovernmental and multilateral organizations, nongovernmental organizations, churches and other civil organizations.
• Introduce disaster preparedness and mitigation concepts that allow families to protect themselves against future disasters.

How you can help
We need your help. Habitat for Humanity thrives on the work of its gracious volunteers and donors and invites people from all faiths, cultures and walks of life to work and build together with families in need of simple, decent and affordable housing.

Make a difference in the lives of those affected by disasters and conflicts. Donate to Habitat's Disaster Response

Learn more
For additional information on global disasters and Habitat’s response, visit www.alertnet.org.