MEDIA RELEASE PR37643
Habitat for Humanity Assists More Than 22,500 Families Devastated by 2004 Tsunami
ATLANTA, Dec. 18 /PRNewswire-AsiaNet/ --
Organization releases special report on fifth anniversary of natural disaster
Five years after the devastation of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, Habitat for Humanity has assisted more
than 22,500 families in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India and Thailand.
Emerging Stronger: Five years after the Indian Ocean tsunami, a report released by Habitat, outlines how
the organization mobilized donors, partners, volunteers and supporters from across the world to build
permanent homes with families in need of safe, decent affordable shelter. The report also looks at the impact
of Habitat's work on individual families and communities.
"The tsunami challenged us to build at a larger scale than we ever had," said Kip Scheidler, senior director
of global disaster response for Habitat for Humanity International. "The unprecedented destruction and
suffering required an unprecedented response from the public, private and non-profit sectors. Thanks to our
many donors, partners and volunteers, five years later we have assisted 22,500 families and are still at work
building and improving homes and responding to yet other natural disasters as we help additional families
develop strong, sustainable communities."
Habitat built its tsunami response strategy around several central concepts from the traditional program,
including the importance of working with families on their shelter solutions. Findings show that the people most
affected by a disaster are in the best position to help lead the reconstruction of their homes and livelihoods.
Encouraging people to participate in rebuilding their lives has two specific benefits: it helps communities heal
in the wake of a disaster, and it increases the ability and capacity of the community, even those previously
living in poverty, to address other challenges.
By September 2009, Habitat for Humanity had assisted approximately 22,500 families affected by the
disaster. The non-profit has built, rehabilitated or repaired homes with 11,700 families in India, 5,970 families
in Aceh, 2,880 families in Sri Lanka and nearly 2,000 families in Thailand. In addition to providing shelter and
housing, Habitat for Humanity has educated approximately 27,000 families on the east coast of India through
disaster mitigation and preparedness programs.
Habitat continues to work with communities affected by the tsunami in the four hardest-hit countries and is
on course for assisting an estimated 25,000 families by June 2010.
"Habitat for Humanity's post-tsunami rebuilding projects serve as a springboard for additional low-cost
housing solutions for people in affected countries," said Rick Hathaway, Asia-Pacific vice-president of Habitat
for Humanity International.
Habitat's report, Emerging Stronger: Five years after the Indian Ocean tsunami, is available at habitat.org.
Habitat for Humanity International is an ecumenical Christian ministry that welcomes to its work all people
dedicated to the cause of eliminating poverty housing. Since its founding in 1976, Habitat has built,
rehabilitated, repaired or improved more than 350,000 houses worldwide, providing simple, decent and
affordable shelter for more than 1.75 million people. For more information, or to donate or volunteer, visit
SOURCE: Habitat for Humanity International
CONTACT: Jolanda Logan,
+1-404-420-6766,
jlogan@habitat.org, or
Peter Witton,
+66 (0)86105 1767 or
+ 852 909 72014,
pwitton@habitat.org, or
Michele Soh,
+65 9233 1544,
msoh@habitat.org, all of Habitat for Humanity International
NEWS 
