Habitat for Humanity helps support shelter needs of more than 5,000 families affected by Haiyan one month after disaster
Habitat will intensify recovery efforts over the coming weeks with shelter repair kits and training
BANGKOK (Dec. 6, 2013) – Habitat for Humanity has assisted more than 5,000 Filipino families affected by Typhoon Haiyan since it struck a month ago in the Visayas region of the Philippines. The typhoon, one of the strongest storms recorded in recent history, displaced millions of people and destroyed or damaged more than 1 million homes. The Philippine government’s latest estimates put the death toll at more than 5,700 people.
“Habitat for Humanity began recovery work immediately in the typhoon’s aftermath,” said Kip Scheidler, Habitat for Humanity’s senior director for Disaster Risk Reduction and Response. “We began distributing emergency shelter kits which contained tarpaulins, rope and fixings to help families build temporary shelters.
“Currently, we are distributing shelter repair kits that contain materials to help families repair their damaged homes. Materials include plywood, lumber, galvanized metal sheets, hammers, saws and nails. Our goal is to get families back into their homes as quickly as possible, by helping them rebuild walls and replace roofs,” Scheidler continued. “We plan to continue this work and support the long-term recovery of devastated communities.”
Habitat is moving into a new phase of disaster response efforts with plans to distribute up to 30,000 shelter repair kits, depending on availability of funding. As part of this ongoing response, Habitat for Humanity Philippines will distribute 350 shelter repair kits on Saturday in Daanbantayan, northern Cebu, where close to 18,000 homes were damaged or destroyed, according to Philippine government figures.
“With the increase in demand for building materials and distribution of those materials to affected communities, there are many challenges that we have to overcome,” said Scheidler. “But we will find creative solutions to address these challenges so that we can continue to help Filipinos rebuild.”
Since 1988, Habitat for Humanity Philippines has played an active role in working with families to build decent homes. Through a network of project offices in rural and urban areas, Habitat for Humanity Philippines has built and repaired tens of thousands of houses.
Based on funding availability, the longer-term response will follow Habitat’s model of assisting affected communities with housing solutions ranging from transitional shelter interventions to permanent home reconstruction. Habitat’s ability to respond effectively to this disaster will require support from donors, volunteers, corporate partners and other community organizations.
About Habitat for Humanity International
Habitat for Humanity International’s vision is a world where everyone has a decent place to live. Anchored by the conviction that housing provides a critical foundation for breaking the cycle of poverty, Habitat has helped more than 4 million people construct, rehabilitate or preserve homes since 1976. Habitat also advocates to improve access to decent and affordable shelter and supports a variety of funding models that enable families with limited resources to make needed improvements on their homes as their time and resources allow. As a nonprofit Christian housing organization, Habitat works in more than 70 countries and welcomes people of all races, religions and nationalities to partner in its mission. To learn more, donate or volunteer, visit habitat.org.