Habitat for Humanity to assist families affected by Cyclone Pam
ATLANTA (March 16, 2015) – Cyclone Pam struck Vanuatu last Friday, resulting in massive damage across the Pacific island nation. Habitat for Humanity staff members are assessing the situation and coordinating response operations with local government agencies and disaster relief partners.
“As information filters in from outlying communities, we will learn of the scale of the devastation caused by Cyclone Pam,” said Rick Hathaway, Asia-Pacific vice president, Habitat for Humanity. “Vanuatu’s president has already stated that most of the island nation is now homeless and thousands of people are currently crowded in evacuation centers. We know there will be a need to support affected families to repair and rebuild homes.”
Habitat for Humanity’s immediate response efforts will include emergency shelter assistance. Based on funding availability, the longer-term response will follow Habitat’s model of assisting affected communities with housing solutions ranging from emergency shelter interventions to permanent home reconstruction.
Habitat’s Disaster Response provides technical expertise in home and community rebuilding and to date has helped more than 200,000 disaster-affected families around the world.
About Habitat for Humanity International
Habitat for Humanity International’s vision is a world where everyone has a decent place to live. Anchored by the conviction that housing provides a path out of poverty, since 1976 Habitat has helped more than 5 million people through home construction, rehabilitation and repairs and by increasing access to improved shelter through products and services. Habitat also advocates to improve access to decent and affordable shelter and offers a variety of housing support services that enable families with limited means to make needed improvements on their homes as their time and resources allow. As a nonprofit Christian housing organization, Habitat works in more than 70 countries and welcomes people of all races, religions and nationalities to partner in its mission. To learn more, donate or volunteer, visit habitat.org.