Haiti Relief Effort

Habitat for Humanity International CEO Jonathan Reckford traveled to Port-au-Prince Jan. 19 - 20 to meet with Habitat for Humanity Haiti staff and to tour some of the earthquake-ravaged neighborhoods in the capital city. “This is the worst humanitarian disaster I’ve seen,” said Reckford. “Video and images cannot convey the devastation and suffering of the people of Haiti.”

Reckford met with Habitat for Humanity Haiti staff at their temporary office.  While all 50 Habitat Haiti staff members survived last week’s earthquake; Habitat Haiti’s offices collapsed.

Habitat for Humanity is offering a three-fold response to the earthquake that includes clearing debris from home sites, providing Habitat for Humanity Recovery Starter kits and repairing and rebuilding homes through a transitional housing method. “We want to help families with shelter right away, while also thinking of longer term housing solutions,” said Reckford.  “Our goal is to put families into safe, durable transitional shelters that can be used for long periods and improved upon over time.”

The transitional housing model involves small shelters that can be built quickly and provide permanent base structures that can be expanded over time. The shelters will meet humanitarian standards of adequate living space and provision of water and sanitation. The structures also will be designed with hurricane and earthquake-resistant features.

Donations are urgently needed for recovery and can be made online. 

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The cleanup: To clear the way for home repair and construction, Habitat for Humanity plans to assist in the cleanup by mobilizing people to remove debris and salvage materials that can be recycled in new shelter. Working with other organizations, these activities could include a “cash for work” component that would organize local people in affected neighborhoods and provide them with tools such as shovels, wheelbarrows and crowbars. This involvement in productive activity provides a small influx of cash to those affected by the disaster to help them meet other basic needs and also contributes to their mental health by providing a positive, active opportunity to help with recovery.
 
Shelter kits: Shelter kits include building materials and tools and are designed to help families and neighborhoods make immediate repairs. Typically, the kits include items such as wall panels, roofing sheets, hurricane straps, and hammer and nails. For the past three years, Habitat for Humanity has offered vocational education programs in Haiti, meaning that it now has a cadre of certified masons and carpenters to assist families in Port-au-Prince.
 
Transitional shelter: Habitat for Humanity also plans to repair and rebuild housing, using a transitional-shelter model. Small transitional shelters can be built quickly and provide permanent base structures that can be expanded over time. The initial transitional shelter will meet Sphere humanitarian standards of adequate living space and provision of water and sanitation. Given Haiti’s history of being affected by natural disasters, the structures will be designed with hurricane- and earthquake-resistant features.
 
In addition to these interventions, immediate response will include working with Habitat Haiti to restore its capacity to fully participate in the recovery efforts. Through all aspects of the work, Habitat will cultivate partnerships with local residents and other humanitarian organizations that can multiply the effectiveness of the response.

Habitat is collecting offers of product at the moment as we do not have a full understanding of what is needed in those areas affected by the earthquake.  Also, Habitat for Humanity does not have warehouse facilities needed to store materials until we are ready to use them. We are asking companies that are willing to make a donation of needed products to send Habitat for Humanity International a letter of intent on company letterhead outlining what gift could be made, how long it would be available and how it could be delivered. We are not equipped to accept tool donations from individuals.

For questions about product donations to Haiti please contact:

Giovanni Taylor-Peace
Specialist, Global Disaster Response
Habitat for Humanity International
1-800-Habitat, ext. 3450
cell: (404) 414-7328
fax: (404) 733-3188
gtaylor@habitat.org

Thank you for joining the effort to bring help and hope to the people of Haiti.

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