Shelter Needs of Tsunami Survivors

Habitat for Humanity - another renowned international development agency - has set up its representative office in Hong Kong recently but yet to launch its fundraising and volunteer recruitment operation. Like other international relief agencies, HFH has turned its attention to the tsunami disaster and in particular, the shelter needs of tsunami survivors. It would be a very meaningful cause if HFH can organise Hong Kong volunteers to assist in the effort to rebuild homes and shelters in the countries destroyed by the tidal waves (HFH has a presence in six of the 12 affected countries – Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, Thailand, Malaysia and Bangladesh). The international head office of HFH (US-based) is now appealing for online donations for its operations in the tsunami affected areas.

Tsunami Displaces 5 Million Survivors
One in 12 Sri Lankans Now Homeless

AMERICUS, Ga. (Dec. 30, 2004) - As many as five million people are displaced and in need of basic services as a result of the tsunami-earthquake catastrophe that struck in Southeast Asia last Sunday. Habitat for Humanity has a presence in six of the 12 affected countries – Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, Thailand, Malaysia and Bangladesh. The organization is working with local Habitat offices and international partner organizations to assess and respond to short- and long-term shelter needs.

In Sri Lanka alone, one in 12 people are now homeless. Habitat for Humanity is working with partners to help families whose homes have been wiped out or severely damaged by the floods to construct semi-permanent shelters and repair damaged homes. Initial assessments by Habitat staff indicate that foundations of many homes remain intact, while everything above the foundation was knocked over by the tidal waves.

Habitat for Humanity staff in Sri Lanka estimate that some damaged houses could be made habitable for between $50 and $100, depending on the damage and the amount of materials that can be salvaged from the destroyed or damaged home.

The Sri Lanka staff is now conducting an in-depth assessment of the needs throughout the island nation. There are 2,176 families in Sri Lanka who were living in Habitat homes and 2,628 additional families who were in the Habitat-sponsored savings group to buy homes in the near future. Habitat’s first priority is to assist the existing Habitat homeowners and the Save and Build members and then turn our attention to the millions more who are now in need of a safe, decent, and affordable place to live.

Habitat for Humanity has launched an emergency appeal to help facilitate the rebuilding. To help in these efforts, please visit our Asia Tsunami Response donation page.