What Is Habitat For Humanitys Approach To Responding To Disasters?
Habitat focuses on working with local communities and governments to provide permanent or transitional housing solutions to those whose lives have been afflicted by the catastrophe. Habitat involves local communities in design and rebuilding programs, and prefers to rebuild homes on existing foundations or within a family’s existing community rather than relocating people to new sites. Habitat’s approach focuses on providing technical assistance and project management expertise. Funding is generated through appeals, government partnerships and from funding organisations engaged in disaster response. Many families often lose their livelihoods in a disaster so, unlike in regular Habitat programs, they are not in a position to repay mortgage loans,given which, families are encouraged to contribute by way of “sweat equity” in rebuilding their homes and communities. Habitat also seeks to mitigate or reduce not only the devastating effect of a disaster, but also protect buildings and familie
