For Release: 19 January 2010

New Zealanders Asked to Help Haiti’s Reconstruction

Shelter identified as an urgent requirement

In addition to contributing to emergency relief on Haiti, New Zealanders can help the earthquake-ravaged country’s long-term efforts to rebuild.

“A key task at this point is to ensure all Haitians have shelter in some form. This requirement is as urgent as food, water, health services and the framework of law and order needed to ensure that aid gets through,” says Pete North, CEO of Habitat for Humanity New Zealand

“At present, many people in the worst affected areas near Port-au-Prince have no protection from the fierce tropical sun. This will be adding hugely to their distress and badly aggravating health and other issues. We need the support of generous New Zealanders in providing Haitians with adequate cover,” he says.

“However, the current emergency has also underlined the longer-term need to improve Haiti’s housing stock, most of which is of poor construction and not built to withstand earthquakes. Walls are typically made of concrete bricks, mud or stones that lack steel reinforcement and are not anchored to a foundation. Roofs are often made of scrap wood and metal sheets.

“Habitat has been active in Haiti for 26 years and we’ve helped more than 2,000 families there to achieve decent housing. Above and beyond our response to the current crisis, we plan to intensify our efforts, so as to provide as many Haitian families as possible with adequate protection against future natural disasters. We would greatly welcome the support of New Zealanders with this long-term commitment,” he adds.

Mr North says that Habitat’s emergency efforts in Haiti are likely to follow a three stage format, starting with a clean-up to make room for home repair and construction, with local people mobilised and assisted in removing debris and salvaging materials for recycling into new structures.

“A second stage will involve the provision of shelter kits that are designed to help families and neighbourhoods make immediate repairs. Typically, the kits include items such as panels, roofing sheets, hurricane straps and a hammer and nails. We’ve been offering vocational education programs in Haiti for a number of years, so there is now a reserve of certified masons and carpenters there, who can assist families with repairs.

“Thirdly, we plan to repair and rebuild housing, using small transitional shelters that can be built quickly and expanded over time. These shelters will meet internationally recognised standards for adequate living space and the provision of water and sanitation. They will also be designed with hurricane and earthquake-resistant features.

“New Zealanders have responded with great generosity to our ongoing need for funds to help our rebuilding effort on tsunami-ravaged Samoa. Haiti is further away from New Zealand and there may not be the same ties of kinship and culture. But Haitians are just as much part of our human family and need our support in their time of trial,” says Pete North.

Habitat for Humanity is a non-denominational Christian not-for-profit organisation that helps more than 60,000 families across the globe into homes every year. The organisation aims to help build sustainable communities and eliminate poverty housing worldwide. Habitat New Zealand has helped more than 350 families into their own homes in New Zealand since its establishment here in 1992.

To donate to Habitat’s work in Haiti, Samoa, New Zealand or elsewhere, please visit the organisation’s website www.habitat.org.nz or telephone its freephone number 0800 442 248.

ENDS

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