After the Tsunami: Rebuilding Hope -- Habitat for Humanity Int'l 1
After the Tsunami: Rebuilding Hope
The images on display were shot in the immediate aftermath of the tsunami. Out of 19 pictures, most are from the affected area of Sri Lanka with one picture from a ravaged fishing community in Thailand.
|
A devastated fishing village and vacation area in Nam Kem, Thailand. A damaged fishing boat is a familiar sight in coastal communities throughout Asia.
|
Within days after the disaster Habitat for Humanity staff traveled to Asia to assess and report on the damage. The striking images on display are the work of Kim MacDonald, Habitat’s photo services manager; Mikel Flamm, Habitat photojournalist in the Asia/Pacific office; and Jeremy North, staff member of HFH Great Britain.
“After the Tsunami: Rebuilding Hope” is a way of expressing gratitude to donors and supporters of Habitat who were quick to respond to the tremendous need for help. A Habitat tsunami photo exhibit is slated to open at college campuses across the U.S. later this year.
Six months on
“After this terrible tragedy, it is now time to heal and rebuild. Around the globe, volunteers and donors are joining Habitat for Humanity to help people get back on their feet and on with their lives, “says Don Haszczyn, Area Vice President of HFH Europe and Central Asia.
|
Habitat workshops are buzzing 24 hours a day, making concrete blocks. Habitat is providing raw materials and skilled masons, while homeowners clean the debris
|
More than half a year after the tsunami, emergency relief efforts are giving way to recovery and reconstruction. Habitat for Humanity raised more than US$50 million to assist an estimated 25,000 families.
Building is already under way in Sri Lanka and Indonesia while repairs are going on in India and Thailand.
More than 350 houses in Indonesia are under construction or completed as the project team is preparing to scale up production and build that many houses in a month.
In Sri Lanka, five families had moved into a permanent home just three weeks after the tsunami struck.
In an innovative approach to reach as many in need as fast as possible, Habitat is building so called “core” houses. These are simple, permanent homes in which families can relocate quickly while they can later add more rooms.
Habitat also opened its Building and Training Centers in the areas affected by the tsunami. Habitat provides and delivers concrete blocks to future homeowners while its skilled masons provide skills and support to a wider community.
To read more about our disaster response in Asia, click here.
To make a donation to help a family in need in the tsunami-stricken region, click here.
|