Disaster Response: Rebuilding Lives and Communities


              After the Tsunami disaster
 

New homes in Mulia, Banda Aceh





After natural disasters and conflicts, Habitat for Humanity is there to help rebuild communities and prepare for the future.

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.

Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI) recognises the need to provide shelter and housing solutions to help these families recover. HFHI’s Disaster Response programme works with the global Habitat community in the areas of disaster mitigation, preparedness, shelter and long-term recovery initiatives to address the housing needs that arise from natural disasters and humanitarian emergency conflicts.



The mission of HFHI Disaster Response

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

To date, more than 50,000 families have been served under various HFHI disaster response initiatives worldwide. By giving the communities the means to rebuild, we have 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 organisations, NGOs, churches, and other civil organisations.

• Introduce disaster preparedness and mitigation concepts that allow families to protect themselves against future disasters.

Wondering how you can help?