“When I first entered the house, I told myself, ‘this is mine. I had a sense of bliss, I had a great night’s sleep,” says Rona Mae. In 2018, she moved into a new home in Silay City, Philippines’ Negros Occidental province, built in partnership with Habitat and the Hilti Foundation. She could well remember how her daughter Em-em, who has a neurological condition, reacted. “She was so happy, she was laughing. I’ll never forget that.” Now they no longer have to take shelter in other people’s homes. “Even though there is a pandemic, I’m comfortable.”

Being able to earn a living despite COVID-19 makes Yogendra appreciate her home even more. After moving into their new spacious house in Vilawedduwan, Batticaloa, Sri Lanka in 2018, her family has a sense of security and privacy and peaceful. “The biggest impact was the fact that our family could sell eggs and make a living even during the lockdown.” Yogendra’s was among more than 1,800 families who have partnered with Habitat Sri Lanka and World Vision Lanka in the European Union-funded “Homes not Houses” project.

Work attire for Rustiana, a janitor at a Jakarta hospital: three layers of mask, five layers of gloves and personal protective equipment. Despite the strain, she cleans hospital rooms diligently, hoping patients would recover from COVID-19. At first, she was worried about bringing the virus home. But having temporary shelter under Habitat Indonesia’s project eased her fears. “I am very grateful for the hotel room given for me to rest. I don’t have to worry about transmitting the virus to my husband and child.”

For To, having her own stable home has cushioned the impact of COVID-19 although she is earning less as a brick factory worker. Demand has dropped due to the pandemic. Two of her children lost their jobs and another’s working hours was cut. “Life has been very different from before.” But instead of going from place to place seeking refuge, her family can shelter in place. “The fact that we now have a safe and decent place to settle in makes us less worried about the spread of COVID-19.”

After losing their home in the 2015 Nepal earthquake, Nirmala and her son had to live in a temporary shelter that was neither safe nor comfortable. “I almost gave up on the idea that I will someday have a place to call home.” With Habitat Nepal’s support, Nirmala was trained as a mason and helped build her own house. Although there was a lack of construction jobs due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Nirmala was able to find work in a local herbal shop. Her stable income helps provide for her 14-year-old son’s education.

Mohammad Iqbal, 70, and his family were among those badly hit when India imposed a nationwide coronavirus lockdown in late March. His wife Khatoon and his son were unable to work and the little savings they had were quickly depleted. With healthy housing playing a key role in beating the coronavirus, Mohammad Iqbal is grateful for the hygiene and family essential kits provided by Habitat India. The kits included items such as masks, liquid hand wash, bath soap and floor disinfectant. He said, “We will be able to cope until the situation improves.”