Habitat for Humanity Halton Supports Haiti Relief Efforts

     We’re happy to pass on this news about Habitat for Humanity Halton (HFHH) and their work in Haiti. They want to emphasize that donations from individuals until February 12 will be matched by the Canadian Government.

     HFHH will provide support to the disaster response efforts of Habitat for Humanity International to help low-income Haitian earthquake victims with immediate and long-term shelter solutions.  Donations to the Habitat fund from individual Canadians will be matched by the Canadian government up to February 12.
     “Habitat for Humanity will mobilize all available resources to address shelter solutions for low-income families affected by the 7.0 magnitude earthquake that struck Haiti,” said Torre Nelson, area vice president of Habitat for Humanity International’s Latin America and Caribbean office. 
     Habitat’s early response to the earthquake is threefold, with the extent of the interventions depending on the amount of support that they are able to mobilize:
1)       Cleanup: This involves mobilizing people to clear the way for shelter construction and home rehabilitation;
2)       Shelter Kits: Habitat will distribute building materials and tools in shelter kits; and,
3)       Transitional Shelter: Transitional housing can be built quickly and provide permanent base structures that can be expanded over time.  These shelters will include the provision of water and sanitation, and will include hurricane- and earthquake-resistant features.
     Consistent with the Habitat capacity-building approach of giving a “hand-up, not a hand out,” Habitat International’s approach will engage local residents in the rebuilding process.
     “I feel privileged to have joined an organization that focuses on helping the 6.5% of Halton residents who live in poverty, while also helping our community respond to the gut-wrenching need that we all feel to help Haiti at this time of trauma,” said Anne Swarbrick, Executive Director, Habitat for Humanity Halton.
     Habitat for Humanity has been at work in Haiti for 26 years and will use its local expertise and mobilize resources as part of the rebuilding efforts.  Habitat has provided more than 2,000 Haitian families with housing solutions through a variety of initiatives including new home construction, developing local construction skills, and disaster mitigation. Habitat works in coordination with community and government agencies. 
     To make a donation that will be matched by the Canadian government up to February 12, or to get more information about the work being done by Habitat for Humanity in Haiti, visit www.habitathalton.ca – or visit ReStore at 1800 Appleby Line, Burlington.

About Habitat for Humanity Halton
Habitat for Humanity Halton is a community-based, non-profit organization working for a world where everyone has a safe and decent place to live. Founded in 1999, it is a member of Habitat for Humanity Canada, and part of a worldwide network that spans 100 countries. With 10 homes completed and three more currently underway, Habitat Halton provides low income families with a hand up to home ownership to break the cycle of poverty.
For more information, visit: www.habitathalton.ca 

About Habitat for Humanity Canada
Habitat for Humanity Canada is a national, non-profit, faith-based organization working for a world where everyone has a safe and decent place to live. Their mission is to mobilize volunteers and community partners in building affordable housing and promoting homeownership as a means to breaking the cycle of poverty.
     Habitat for Humanity Canada was founded in 1985, consists of over 50,000 volunteers and 72 affiliate organizations from coast to coast, and is a member of Habitat for Humanity International, which spans 93 countries and has built over 350,000 homes worldwide, providing simple, decent and affordable shelter for more than 1.75 million people.

 About Habitat for Humanity’s Disaster Response
Habitat’s Disaster Response focuses on the housing needs that arise from natural disasters and humanitarian emergency conflicts. Habitat offers expertise in technical information; program design and implementation; and disaster response policies, protocols and procedures. They also provide support and informational resources for disaster mitigation and preparedness; helping communities in disaster-prone areas protect themselves against future threats.