Habitat For Humanity On Solomon Is. Reconstruction

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Habitat For Humanity Supports Post-Tsunami Reconstruction Response In Solomon Islands

Habitat for Humanity New Zealand and Habitat for Humanity Australia are spearheading options for how Habitat for Humanity should respond to the deadly earthquake and tsunami that struck the Solomon Islands on 3 April 2007.

Fifty-two people were killed and around 6,000 homes and other buildings were damaged or destroyed in the disaster. Three months later, 4,000 people are still living in makeshift camps.

Habitat for Humanity technical experts from the Asia-Pacific region recently returned from visiting the Solomon Islands where they assessed long-term permanent shelter needs and how best to co-ordinate with partner organisations.

"We know from our experience after the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, and more recent earthquakes in Indonesia and Pakistan, that it's important to work with the communities and families themselves to find out how best to rebuild their lives and homes," says Winsome Stretch, Chief Executive of Habitat for Humanity New Zealand.

"This takes time and requires careful planning to ensure the right sorts of houses are constructed in the right locations and at reasonable costs. The first step was to assess the situation on the ground."

Habitat for Humanity has expertise and experience in designing housing projects and mobilising volunteers to repair and rebuild permanent housing for families after disasters. Habitat Resource Centres can also be established, with a focus on producing low-cost building materials such as blocks and tiles. Such centres may offer a much-needed source of employment and wages for those left jobless after a disaster.

Habitat for Humanity's long-term tsunami reconstruction programme is on-going. Approximately 10,000 families in India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Thailand have benefited from Habitat programmes following the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. This figure is expected to double over the next two years as new phases of the response are completed.

ENDS

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