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- Earthquake in Central Java, Indonesia
- Mudslide in Leyte, Philippines
- Earthquake in Northeastern Pakistan
- Indian Ocean Tsunami
Earthquake in Central Java, Indonesia
Due to the earthquake in central Java on May 27th, 2006, nearly 6,000 people died and over 120,000 houses were destroyed. Habitat Indonesia’s branch office is in Yogyakarta where severe damages were reported. Their staff and volunteers are involved in revival support for damage from the earthquake.
The most serious damage was done to the houses built with only mud to connect bricks, the methods and materials that disregard earthquake safety. Along with the help of local university specialists and volunteers, Habitat for Humanity created a resource center and began educational activities that encouraged earthquake-resistant architecture. Habitat also established the one year plan to build 1000 simple houses by July 2007. These earthquake resistant simple-framed "core houses" boast a foundation of reinforced concrete frames and bricks joined by mortar, with the upper half consisting of light wood construction. The core houses' flexible design allows for an owner to reuse all of the building materials to relocate and reconstruct a house with a proffered floor plan after the objectives of disaster response have been fulfilled. As the cost of one core house is approximately ¥320,000 (Approx. $2,700 USD), the comprehensive cost for our objective totals ¥320,000,000 (Approx. $2.6 million USD).
 Residents in the region and Habitat volunteers |  |
Mudslide in Lyte, Philippines
The mudslide in Lyte, Philippines took many people's lives and houses on February 17, 2006. Even now, many victims still live in shelters without being able to return to their own homes.
To improve this situation in a modest way, Habitat for Humanity is building the houses in cooperation with the victims. Our target is to contribute to the revival of the community by building "steel framed houses" which are developed so that even people without experience may participate in building them. In August of 2006, Habitat for Humanity Japan dispatched a volunteer construction team. We will be able to complete 100 houses thanks to the Japanese government's disaster relief grant. In total, approximately 800 houses will be constructed.
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♦ Result of Kansai JCC Street fund-raising campaign
On Sunday, June 25th, Kansai JCC (the student supporter consortium for Habitat for Humanity) carried out the street fund-raising campaign in 5 locations in the Kansai area in order to support the house building efforts in Leyte.
Kansai JCC consists of the campus chapters and the campus clubs of Habitat for Humanity at Ritsumeikan University, Doshisya University, Kansai University, Kyoto University of Foreign Studies, Kwansei Gakuin Uegahara, and Kwansei Gakuin Mita.
Despite the bad weather, many people listened to the students and gave them heartfelt contributions. We would like to express our gratitude to Kansai JCC. The funds raised were remitted to Leyte and were used for building houses (after taking out handling costs such as communication and bank charges).
To the members of Kansai JCC:
Your warm hearts were conveyed to the people of Leyte. Thank you.
 Tools bought and sent to Leyte |
Earthquake in Northeastern Pakistan
The October 8, 2005, an earthquake in northeastern Pakistan demolished 80% of villages (approximately 200,000 people) in the North-West Frontier Province. The second winter is now closely approaching, however, there are many who still must stay in a tent or damaged house. With financial support from the Japan Platform (JPF), Habitat for Humanity Japan has set out to Balakot, in the northeastern region Mansehra, where damage to housing has been the highest. Volunteers utilize recycled materials from destroyed housing and collect resources from the forests only as necessary. Thanks to the implementation of this machinery, reconstruction of housing has become possible for remote mountain villages that are out of support’s reach. With the financial support from Japan Platform, Habitat for Humanity Japan is undertaking a project which supports housing construction in Balakot, Mansehra prefecture in northeast Pakistan, where the largest amount of damage from the earthquake was reported. This project will provide construction materials. One reason the reconstruction of houses is not moving smoothly is because the people do not have a way to cut construction materials. Cutting wood by hand using an axe and saw takes a lot of effort. This hard labor decreases the victim’s willingness for reconstruction. This project helps the victims to build their houses again, starting their new lives. Tractors with attached sawmills (see picture) are used to recycle the materials from the collapsed houses. Work in the villages in the mountains (where support could not previously be reached) has become possible by combining tractors and sawmill machines. The tractor in the photo is busy in its distribution route around the villages. It services ten families per day. By December 2006, 5,000 people (1,000 families) will be served through this project.
 Lumbering service |  Residence who got the lumber and HFHJ Project coordinator |
Indian Ocean Tsunami
Countless people were affected by the Indian Ocean tsunami on December 26, 2004. By the end of June 2006, Habitat for Humanity constructed 4,177 houses and repaired another 1,043. We had the participation of 214 teams, which were made up of 3,000 volunteers. Habitat for Humanity now works with the people on community related issues such as the unclear borderline.
 House damaged by the tsunami |  House built through HFH |
