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Manila, 2 May 2015 – As many families in Nepal continue to struggle to find safe shelter one week after a devastating magnitude-7.8 earthquake rocked the region, Habitat for Humanity teams have begun to safely remove rubble, as well as assemble shelter kits to help families left homeless or without adequate shelter.
Many people are sleeping outdoors due to unstable structures and fear of aftershocks. Monsoon season will begin soon in Nepal, making shelter an even more urgent need.
“Many rural communities still have not received any aid at all,” said Rick Hathaway, Asia-Pacific vice president, Habitat for Humanity International. “The needs are overwhelming. The destruction of homes has been so widespread, that one of the greatest needs is shelter. Your support can help Habitat rebuild homes and shelter the survivors from the coming rains.”
As shelter kits are created, items included will vary as needs change. In the immediate days after a disaster, they may contain tarpaulin and other materials for emergency shelter and protection from the elements. At a later stage, the kits may contain wood, roofing materials and tools for home repairs.
According the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, an estimated 2.8 million people have been displaced by the earthquake, and more than 300,000 homes were destroyed or damaged. The U.S. Agency for International Development has listed housing and access to water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) as two of the priority issues that must be addressed in the early stages of the recovery effort.
Habitat’s ability to respond effectively to this disaster will require support from donors, corporate partners and other community organizations. Donations can be made at habitat.org/donate/nepal.
