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Habitat for
Humanity International -
Bangladesh
Habitat for Humanity
Asia/Pacific | |||
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About Us What We Do Where We Work Get Involved Gallery Blog Partners Disaster Response |
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What We Do
HOW DOES HABITAT FUNCTION? Habitat for Humanity strengthens and revitalises communities by developing partnerships. Habitat homes are not free, but built through the formation of women’s savings groups who receive interest-free loans. This is referred to as the “Save and Build” model, and involves “sweat equity”; that is to say manual labour carried out by the future homeowner, with the help of volunteers, to reduce building costs and improve building times. HFHI-B supports the group throughout the six months savings period through programs such as financial management and practical training, as well as partnering with other NGOs to provide essential community and personal services to ensure an incline in the standard of living. We work with all levels of the community; individuals, local organisations, churches and student groups all contribute to HFHI-B’s program to eliminate substandard housing. By working with local and international partners, we hope to continue to make a tangible difference in the lives of the severely disadvantaged in Bangladesh. |
Patuakhali
Cyclone Rehabilitation Project
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The Habitat
standard for a permanent house requires that houses: Habitat for Humanity’s housing models are exemplary in both their durability and sustainability. Habitat’s houses in Bangladesh withstood the floods of September 2007, and early reports from the field indicate that despite the devastation caused by Cyclone Sidr, Habitat-built houses in the worst affected areas are still standing.
Effects on Poverty
Increasing poverty, decreasing access to adequate shelter, and declines in physical and mental health often operate cyclically: each factor affects the others. While many consider inadequate housing to be a result of poverty, poverty is also a primary cause. When housing is unaffordable, financial coping strategies are even further limited for people without family support, for example women seeking divorce, families in transition, and families in crisis. UN-Habitat noted the importance of improving slum housing as an entry point into achieving a broad range of goals related to poverty alleviation. According to UN-habitat writer D. Mehta, “by improving the lives of slum dwellers, one is also combating HIV, improving environmental sustainability, addressing gender inequality, and all the Millennium Development Goals in the most efficient manner.”
Effects on Social and Political Stability
Inadequate housing conditions are closely tied to social fragmentation, instability and violence. In its report on “Measuring Transformation through Houses”, HFH found that improved shelter conditions, especially through a participatory approach in which the household takes a strong role in the improvements, serves to enhance a broad range of factors affecting quality of life and strengthening civil society. These factors include increased participation in civil society by marginalised groups, empowerment of women, increased education of children and increase in household income, among many others.
Effects on Health
Housing that lacks access to basic services such as safe drinking water and sanitation poses higher risk of death and disease to inhabitants. Higher mortality rates, especially for children, are common in areas of poor housing. Diseases such as pneumonia and diarrhoea are prevalent, accounting for a large percentage of deaths every year.
Effects on Economic Well-Being
Improving housing conditions can be a powerful economic catalyst for both individual households and the broader community. Housing activity has important effects on, among other things, household savings, the accumulation of wealth, and wages. Inadequate housing, on the other hand, is financially crippling. According to one study, those without homes or with inadequate housing are unable to partake in either if the two income-generating potentials associated with housing, namely the use of housing for micro-enterprise, and the use of housing as an income-producing asset. HOW MUCH DO HABITAT HOUSES COST?
Habitat can build a sustainable, durable, proven house for under $1500.00 USD. This figure includes administrative and transport costs. Habitat’s expertise and dedication to affordable, decent housing is the key element behind such a low figure per house.
HFHI-B would not exist without support from volunteers. HFHI-B invites people of all backgrounds, races and religions to contribute a day, a week or a few months to help achieve our mission. Volunteers work together with future homeowners, providing their skills, time and “sweat equity” to help provide houses for those who need them most. Since its inception, volunteers from within Bangladesh, Japan, India and the United States have donated thousands of hours of labor and contributed financially towards safe, hygienic, and durable housing for over 1000 families. WHAT DOES HABITAT DO IN DISASTER SITUATIONS?
A Habitat for Humanity shelter intervention can include any one of
more of the following:
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Habitat for Humanity International - Bangladesh |
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