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Habitat aims to build 30,000 homes in the Visayas for affected families
Bangkok, 14 February 2014: Global non-profit shelter organization Habitat for Humanity broke ground and laid the first bricks at a reconstruction site in Santa Fe, a municipality of Bantayan Island, in northern Cebu, on Monday 10 February.
The groundbreaking marked the start of reconstruction efforts by Habitat for Humanity Philippines in the affected area, with a project funded by Christian Aid Ministries.
The event was attended by beneficiaries, government officials and international non-government organizations.
“One hundred days after Haiyan struck, we are proud to have begun reconstruction projects. The speed with which this has happened is impressive, especially considering the extent of the devastation caused by Haiyan and the lack of easily-available construction materials,” said Rick Hathaway, Habitat for Humanity Asia-Pacific Vice President.
Charlie Ayco, Habitat for Humanity Philippines CEO, added: “We have started reconstruction work simultaneously on sites in northern Cebu, Tacloban and Javier, and will continue to ramp up operations. The vast majority of affected families are still living in makeshift homes, with fragile roofs and walls, so Habitat continues to distribute shelter repair kits to improve conditions while rebuilding takes place.”
Habitat for Humanity Philippines aims to distribute more than 30,000 shelter repair kits and build 30,000 core homes, depending on availability of funding.
More than 1.1 million homes were either damaged or destroyed by Typhoon Haiyan, according to Philippine government figures.
Habitat started distributing emergency shelter kits just days after Haiyan struck, shifting to shelter repair kits as needs changed. To date, Habitat has supported more than 12,000 families with emergency shelter and shelter repair kits.
“Reconstruction is likely to take many years and Habitat for Humanity is committed to supporting affected families in the Visayas for the long term,” continued Hathaway.
As well as breaking ground on construction sites to help families affected by Typhoon Haiyan, Habitat for Humanity Philippines has started operations to build 8,083 homes in Bohol for families affected by the earthquake that struck 15 October 2013.
Since 1988, Habitat for Humanity Philippines has played an active role in working with families to build decent homes. Through a network of project offices in rural and urban areas, Habitat for Humanity Philippines has built and repaired tens of thousands of houses.
