Habitat for Humanity responds to Asian earthquake.

Habitat for Humanity has committed an initial US$250,000 to provide technical assistance and support to partner organizations responding to the earthquake in Pakistan, and is seeking to raise up to US$1 million for reconstruction.

The 7.6-magnitude quake on Saturday, 8th October was felt across South Asia, from central Afghanistan to western Bangladesh, shaking three nations and bringing down a large apartment building in the Pakistani capital of Islamabad. The epicentre of the quake was in Muzaffarabad, the capital of Pakistan-administered Kashmir, which sits in the Himalayan foothills, some 96 kilometres northeast of the capital, Islamabad.

Habitat for Humanity does not have an active presence in Pakistan, and so will work with partners to assess damage, rebuild and repair homes and develop building centres to help put the millions of people displaced by the earthquake back into homes.

A Habitat for Humanity representative is currently making an initial assessment in an area north of Islamabad.

Habitat envisages providing partners with funding and technical support for house construction, as well as providing assessment, planning, and project management expertise.

Shortly before the earthquake, Habitat for Humanity was in the process of formally establishing its presence in Pakistan. Over time, Habitat hopes to establish a long-term program in the country.

Habitat for Humanity (HFH) is an international Christian housing organisation that aims to rid the world of poverty housing and homelessness. HFH builds in nearly 100 countries through independent, grassroots affiliates, and has already built 200,000 homes worldwide.

For more information, please contact Helen Flower at Habitat for Humanity on telephone 01295 264240 or hflower@habitatforhumanity.org.uk .