Many staff members — past and present — were involved in rebuilding homes and lives through Habitat for Humanity’s multi-year response to the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. They share their reflections.
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“Habitat Indonesia and the tsunami response gave me a better understanding of what Habitat is; changing lives and giving hope to people who do not think there is a possibility.”
- Belaynesh Tadesse, Habitat’s director of business strategy, finance and administration, Asia-Pacific. She was finance manager for Habitat Indonesia’s tsunami response.
“Despite the time needed to build capacity, women’s involvement ensures good construction quality and focuses on timely completion. Moreover, if women are directly involved in construction, they can earn income, eradicating vulnerability in the affected areas.”
- Arwin Soelaksono, Habitat Indonesia’s program director. He was involved with its early recovery phase and housing recovery program in Aceh.
“Preparing communities, setting up infrastructure, and ensuring materials were available required tireless effort, but the reward of seeing volunteers connect with affected families made it all worthwhile.”
- Patrick Ettampola, Habitat’s senior development officer, individual giving. In 2005, he was deployed to southern India to conduct tsunami damage and needs assessments. Later he transitioned to hosting international volunteers.
“Habitat’s response evolved from building full houses after disasters to home repairs; distribution of shelter kits; damage assessments; training, etc.”
- Mario Flores, Habitat’s director for disaster risk reduction and response, field operations. He had worked with staff in four countries to implement Habitat’s tsunami response.
“Looking back, a people-centered approach could have resolved some of the challenges that Habitat faced in the Thailand tsunami response.”
- Ernesto Castro-Garcia, Habitat for Humanity’s vice president of Latin America and the Caribbean. He was director of Habitat’s tsunami response project in Thailand.
Partnerships strengthened Habitat for Humanity India’s tsunami response that increased the awareness of safe, resilient shelter. Training in masonry skills and production of construction materials expanded livelihood opportunities.
- Samuel Peter, former director of disaster response, Habitat India
On the tsunami’s 20th anniversary, Habitat India’s Annacharly Jeyaraj is grateful for volunteers who partnered with communities to build resilience. He is director of international volunteer programs and individual fundraising.
“Habitat Indonesia and the tsunami response gave me a better understanding of what Habitat is; changing lives and giving hope to people who do not think there is a possibility.”
- Belaynesh Tadesse, Habitat’s director of business strategy, finance and administration, Asia-Pacific. She was finance manager for Habitat Indonesia’s tsunami response.
“Despite the time needed to build capacity, women’s involvement ensures good construction quality and focuses on timely completion. Moreover, if women are directly involved in construction, they can earn income, eradicating vulnerability in the affected areas.”
- Arwin Soelaksono, Habitat Indonesia’s program director. He was involved with its early recovery phase and housing recovery program in Aceh.
“Preparing communities, setting up infrastructure, and ensuring materials were available required tireless effort, but the reward of seeing volunteers connect with affected families made it all worthwhile.”
- Patrick Ettampola, Habitat’s senior development officer, individual giving. In 2005, he was deployed to southern India to conduct tsunami damage and needs assessments. Later he transitioned to hosting international volunteers.
“Habitat’s response evolved from building full houses after disasters to home repairs; distribution of shelter kits; damage assessments; training, etc.”
- Mario Flores, Habitat’s director for disaster risk reduction and response, field operations. He had worked with staff in four countries to implement Habitat’s tsunami response.
“Looking back, a people-centered approach could have resolved some of the challenges that Habitat faced in the Thailand tsunami response.”
- Ernesto Castro-Garcia, Habitat for Humanity’s vice president of Latin America and the Caribbean. He was director of Habitat’s tsunami response project in Thailand.
Partnerships strengthened Habitat for Humanity India’s tsunami response that increased the awareness of safe, resilient shelter. Training in masonry skills and production of construction materials expanded livelihood opportunities.
- Samuel Peter, former director of disaster response, Habitat India
On the tsunami’s 20th anniversary, Habitat India’s Annacharly Jeyaraj is grateful for volunteers who partnered with communities to build resilience. He is director of international volunteer programs and individual fundraising.
