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Manila, 16 March 2015 – Global non-profit housing organization Habitat for Humanity is launching an appeal to assist families affected by Cyclone Pam which struck Vanuatu last weekend, resulting in massive damage across the island nation.
“As information filters in from outlying communities, we will learn of the scale of the devastation caused by Cyclone Pam. Vanuatu’s President has already stated that most of the country is now homeless and thousands of people are currently crowded in evacuation centers,” said Rick Hathaway, Asia-Pacific Vice President, Habitat for Humanity. “We know there will be a need to support affected families to repair and rebuild homes. We are launching an appeal to raise funds for the disaster response operation. The more funds we raise, the more families can be helped.”
To donate, visit habitat.org/cyclonepam
Habitat for Humanity is sending staff to Vanuatu to assess the situation and coordinate with government agencies and partners on the disaster response operation. Habitat for Humanity’s immediate response efforts will include emergency shelter assistance. Based on funding availability, the longer-term response will follow Habitat’s model of assisting affected communities with housing solutions ranging from emergency shelter interventions to permanent home reconstruction.
Habitat for Humanity has worldwide experience responding to disasters, most recently following Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines.
