Habitat For Humanity Responds To Severe Flooding In Asia-Pacific Region
November 28th, 2011
Habitat Launches US10 Million Appeal; Distributes Shelter Kits, Clean-Up Kits To Affected Families In Cambodia, Philippines, Thailand And Vietnam
(Top) In Ayutthaya province, HFH Thailand has distributed 50 emergency shelters. Photo: Mikel Flamm. (Bottom) Flood-affected people in Albay waiting to receive shelter repair kits from HFH Philippines.
BANGKOK, 28th November 2011: Habitat for Humanity has begun helping families affected by severe flooding in Southeast Asia. As part of the response Habitat has launched a US10 million appeal to help up to 25,000 families in Cambodia, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam.
In each country, Habitat’s main response starts with distributing various types of kits. These may be shelter kits which typically include tools and household items to repair homes; or clean-up kits to clean homes of mud and other waste carried by the floodwater. Clean-up kits contain items like chlorine powder and other disinfectants, along with brushes, brooms, gloves and buckets. Hygiene or care kits including soap and mosquito repellent may also be distributed. Efforts underway include:
Cambodia: Habitat for Humanity Cambodia has secured funding to help 400 flood-affected families. Habitat plans to distribute emergency shelter kits and hygiene kits to affected people in Siem Reap province.
Philippines: Habitat teams have distributed shelter repair kits, care kits and clean-up kits to more than 2,000 families in Bicol, Navotas City and Taytay who were affected by the recent Typhoons Nesat and Nalgae. Find out more and view Facebook photos.
Thailand: Habitat has distributed 50 emergency shelters to flood-affected Ayutthaya province and another 170 shelter repair kits in Phitsanulok and Sukhothai provinces. Rebuilding and repairs are only expected to begin in a few weeks’ time, after flood waters recede. Habitat for Humanity Thailand aims to rebuild 300 new houses and repair another 2,900 houses. Habitat will also look at repairing schools which can be evacuation centers if another disaster strikes. HFH Thailand will focus on badly-affected communities in Ayutthaya, Lop Buri, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani and Saraburi provinces in the center of the country, in Phitsanulok further north as well as in communities in the vicinity of Bangkok. Corporate donors have already committed 50 million baht (US1.6 million) for the flood response with more funds expected. Coca-Cola (Thailand) has promised 30 million baht (US977,400) to help affected people. The beverage giant took out an advertisement in local newspapers for its appeal “Unite to Relieve and Rebuild Thailand with Coca-Cola”. The appeal called for donations and volunteers for Habitat for Humanity Thailand as well as The Thai Red Cross Society. Coca-Cola also said it will devote committed advertising space to raising money for the two organizations and mobilizing volunteers for relief and rebuilding after flood waters recede.
Vietnam: Habitat has completed an assessment of flood damage and will help an initial 121 families in Dong Thap province in the south. HFH Vietnam will be distributing clean-up kits and shelter repair kits.