Tsunami20 — At home, at peace
Among the worse-affected countries, India reported more than 16,000 people dead in the wake of the Dec. 26, 2004, tsunami. The country’s economic loss came to US$1.7 billion. The catastrophe highlighted the vulnerability of coastal communities. Three families who have rebuilt their homes and lives with Habitat for Humanity India share how they have overcome challenges. Rani’s […]
Tsunami20 — From survival to resilience
Of the 230,000 people who were killed by the massive December 2004 tsunami, about three-quarters of them died in Indonesia alone. On the 20th anniversary of the disaster, Karnen Dasen, who lived in Indonesia’s hardest-hit Aceh province, recalled what happened. Then a university student in Ajun village, he said, “It was a quiet Sunday morning […]
Tsunami20 — The day our lives changed forever
MANILA (Dec. 26, 2024) — Twenty years have passed since the Indian Ocean tsunami struck on December 26, 2004. The deadliest and most destructive tsunami in recorded history killed over 230,000 people and left 2 million people homeless across 14 countries. According to Swiss Re, total losses exceeded US$13 billion and were mostly uninsured. Indonesia was […]
Vietnam
Habitat for Humanity in Vietnam Habitat for Humanity began working in Vietnam in January 2001 with its first project in Da Nang City in the central coastal region. As of January 2019, Habitat has enabled more than 14,800 low-income Vietnamese families to improve their living conditions through decent homes, clean water and safe sanitation. Habitat […]
South Korea
Habitat for Humanity in South Korea In the past decades, the housing gap in Korea has continued to shrink. However, for many households, housing prices are still too high. While homeownership is unaffordable, rental options are inadequate and expensive, particularly in the Seoul metropolitan area that houses half of Korea’s population.The adequate housing challenges are […]
Singapore
Habitat for Humanity in Singapore Habitat for Humanity Singapore began operations in response to the urgent reconstruction needs following the Indian Ocean tsunami in 2004. Since its inception, Habitat Singapore has continually mobilized volunteers under the Global Village program for building projects across the Asia-Pacific region in countries such as Cambodia, Indonesia, Thailand, India and […]
Philippines
Habitat for Humanity in the Philippines Since Habitat for Humanity Philippines started operations in 1988, it has served more than 140,000 families with decent housing. With significant scaling up of its activities, Habitat Philippines is able to help an average of over 25,000 families annually since 2013. Habitat and its partners also provide families with […]
New Zealand
The housing need in New Zealand New Zealand has a shortage of approximately 23,000 homes, and continues to be one of the least affordable housing markets in the Western world, with home ownership rates sitting at 65%, a 70-year low. Over the past decade median house prices have more than doubled, according to data from the Real Estate Institute […]
Nepal
Habitat for Humanity in Nepal Habitat Nepal, established in 1997, has served over 70,000 households and built a network of valued local partners through which it implements its housing programs. Since 2015, reconstruction has been the primary focus of Habitat Nepal, directing funding and technical support to the earthquake-affected central region, followed by shelter initiatives […]
Japan
Habitat for Humanity in Japan Habitat for Humanity International opened an office in Japan in 2001 to handle the increasing number of Global Village volunteers from Japan and to provide guidance to several campus chapters that had been formed. In November 2003, Habitat for Humanity Japan was officially registered as a non-profit organization. Habitat Japan […]
