Habitat for Humanity Partners with HAP International

ATLANTA (July 15, 2011) — Habitat for Humanity International has been named an associate member of the Humanitarian Accountability Partnership, the first international self-regulatory body for organizations involved in humanitarian assistance and disaster response.

Established in 2003, HAP International is currently comprised of more than 75 nonprofit member organizations from around the globe and seeks to make humanitarian action accountable to its intended beneficiaries through self-regulation and quality assurance.

“It is with great pleasure and interest that we received the application of Habitat for Humanity International to join the Humanitarian Accountability Partnership,” said Angela Raven-Roberts, Executive Director of HAP International. “Shelter is a human right and key to the survival, livelihood, protection and well-being of families, particularly those emerging from crises and situations of forced displacement. The work of Habitat has been and continues to be vital in mobilizing support for the millions around the world who remain homeless.”

Habitat for Humanity is no stranger to disaster response. This year alone, Habitat has responded to a number of natural disasters worldwide, including the devastating earthquake and subsequent tsunami in Japan and the series of deadly tornados that recently struck the Midwest and southeastern U.S.

“Partnering with fellow disaster response organizations that have such agreed-upon standards of accountability simply makes sense,” said Kip Scheidler, Senior Director of Global Disaster Response with Habitat for Humanity International.

“With a number of active disaster relief and recovery operations throughout the world, it’s important for Habitat to use internationally recognized and well-vetted standards of accountability and quality assurance,” said Scheidler. “We thank HAP International and our fellow member organizations for the opportunity to partner together so that the people we help know that they are fully benefiting from the resources generously given to us by our donors.”

For more information about HAP International, visit the Humanitarian Accountability Partnership website.

About Habitat for Humanity International Habitat for Humanity International is an ecumenical Christian ministry that welcomes to its work all people dedicated to the cause of eliminating poverty housing. Since its founding in 1976, Habitat has built, rehabilitated, repaired or improved more than 400,000 houses worldwide, providing simple, decent and affordable shelter for more than 2 million people. For more information, or to donate or volunteer, visit Habitat.org.