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Habitat for Humanity India to rebuild homes of families affected by Uttarakhand floods

by Heron Holloway | @HeronHolloway | Habitat for Humanity International
Thursday, 25 July 2013 09:40 GMT

* Any views expressed in this article are those of the author and not of Thomson Reuters Foundation.

 

2,000 families to be supported with emergency shelter kits, transitional shelters and housing repair or rebuilding

Bangkok, 25 July 2013 - Habitat for Humanity India, a non-governmental housing organization, begins relief efforts to support families affected by the recent Uttarakhand floods. Habitat India will also assist families and communities exposed to disasters to reduce their vulnerability by providing disaster-resilient housing solutions. “We will rebuild the lives of 2,000 families in the disaster-struck region over the next two years in a three-stage process”, said Eric Christopher, CEO, Habitat for Humanity India.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with families who lost their homes and family members. Many of those affected are low-income farmers in urgent need of safe, permanent shelter, and without the means to rebuild on their own. Habitat will start its rebuilding operations as soon as possible so families can fulfill their dreams of a decent place to live”, Mr. Christopher added.

Habitat will begin by distributing emergency shelter and hygiene kits. Families affected by the disaster will be supported with transitional shelters so that they are able to live in a safe environment until they are able to move into permanent housing. Habitat for Humanity India will repair and renovate partially damaged houses, as well as building disaster resilient houses for families who lost their homes in the disaster.

Habitat for Humanity India staff have visited affected areas of Satagad, Parodi and Chanangoan villages in Jaunpur Block, Tehri district, to assess the damage and met affected families and community leaders, as well as other local government bureaus to formulate long-term rebuilding plans.

Government statistics estimate that 60 houses were totally destroyed across these three villages, while others were badly damaged.

Kamala’s family is one of 12 families in Satagad village who lost their home and livelihood:

“That night, we saw the water level rising slowly and entering our village. We heard lots of trees and rocks falling and were very frightened. We had to leave our house behind and took shelter in an elevated place. We saw our house being washed away and our farmland was destroyed with mud and rocks. My children and I are now living in a government camp that has no doors and is very small. We’re always afraid of wild animals entering the camp at night.”

In partnership with local community based organizations, Habitat for Humanity India will rebuild the lives of families like Kamala’s in Chanangoan, Parodi and Satagad.

To donate to Habitat’s Uttarakhand flood appeal, click here.

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