Habitat for Humanity is well-known for building homes. However, Habitat’s mission also includes providing assistance during disasters. Here are just a few examples of how Habitat helps communities recover from disasters:
Southern Philippines Floods and Landslides
In December 2011, tropical storm Washi brought flash floods and landslides to the southern Philippines. More than 1,000 citizens were killes and about 143,000 people affected. More than 7,000 homes were totally swept away.
Habitat for Humanity was there to help the community get back on its feet by assessing the housing needs and pursuing needed funding and partnerships.
Central U.S. Tornadoes and Floods
April and May 2011 brought violent storms and tornadoes to the United States’ midwestern and sourthern states. Joplin, MO was heavily hit with thousands left homeless and hundreds killed.
Local habitat affiliates were there to lead the cleanup and help rebuild these communities with the help of Habitat for Humanity International.
March 2011 Japan Earthquake
After the March 2011 earthquake in Japan, Habitat for Humanity Japan responded to recruit volunteers to help with the clean-up operation. Habitat was there to mobilize the community help victims in Japan get their lives back in order.
February 2010 Chile Earthquake
On February 27, 2010, a devastating 8.8 magnitude earthquake struck the west coast of Chile leaving approximately 500,000 homes damaged and 2 million people affected. Habitat is helping low-income families by building new homes and repairing existing ones.
January 2010 Haiti Earthquake
In January 2010, a magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck the Caribbean nation of Haiti 10 miles west of Port-Au-Prince. The results were devistating with 105,000 homes completely destroyed. This disaster has left 500,000 people displaced.
Habitat is committed to helping 50,000 of these earthquak-afftected families secure permanent, safe and secure homes to live in. In the past two years, Habitat has already helped over 40,000.
August 2005 Katrina and Rita
Hurricanes Katrina and Rita despalaced more than a million residents and damaged nearly 550,000 homes. Today, habitat’s Builf Coast affiliates continue their efforts to help residents by building houses in the affected areas as part of their ongoing Bulf Recovery Effort.
