11th January 2012

For immediate release:

Two years after the devastating earthquake struck Haiti, Irish donations have supported housing organisation, Habitat for Humanity (HFH), to help more than 40,000 families as part of their recovery programme.

HFH aims to help 50,000 families access permanent housing by 2015 and to date its earthquake recovery programme has distributed 24,500 emergency shelter kits, carried out 350 home repairs, built 150 permanent homes and provided transitional and upgradable shelter to 4,000 families.

Habitat is also helping to build long-term economic growth and sustainability in Haiti. More than 4,450 Haitians were trained in construction, construction business practices, financial literacy, health and hygiene. Approximately 700 local job opportunities have been created by the recovery programme.

Karen Kennedy, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity Ireland said: “Habitat’s work in Haiti is part of our global campaign to provide adequate shelter for all. We operate in more than 90 countries around the world including Ireland. Since 2002 we have built or renovated 10 properties in Dublin. It is thanks to the generosity of Irish people that our work can continue in Haiti and around the world.”

Ms Kennedy continued: “Habitat has a long-term view of Haiti. While our earthquake recovery programme has focused largely on temporary housing solutions, our primary focus over the next three years will shift to partnering with Haitian families to provide permanent housing.”

The earthquake damaged nearly 190,000 houses in Haiti, of which 105,000 were completely destroyed. Of the more than 2 million affected survivors, 550,000 are still displaced, according to the International Organization for Migration.

In November 2010, 500 Habitat volunteers joined Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter for one week to build 100 homes in Haiti. HFH Haiti partnered with Haven Partnership to provide logistical support for the event. An initial 50 homes were built the previous week by volunteers from Haven’s ‘Build It Week’.

Habitat for Humanity Ireland is partnering with six other Irish NGOs to raise awareness of Haiti through music, art and the business community during Haiti Week (21st-28th January). As part of the celebrations, HFH Ireland will showcase their work in Haiti in the Irish Aid Centre O’Connell Street on Saturday 28th January between 10:30am-01:30pm.

To donate to support Habitat for Humanity’s work in Haiti visit: www.habitatireland.ie.

For further information contact Jeannie McCann, Communications Manager at Habitat for Humanity Ireland, on 086 897 9092 / 01 531 2034.

Notes to Editor:

About Habitat for Humanity

Since 1976, Habitat for Humanity has served more than 500,000 families by welcoming people of all races, religions and nationalities to construct, rehabilitate or preserve homes; by advocating for fair and just housing policies; and by providing training and access to resources to help families improve their shelter conditions.

About Habitat for Humanity Ireland

Habitat for Humanity Ireland has sent more than 1700 volunteers from Ireland to over 20 countries around the world since 2004. Volunteers travel in teams from between one to four weeks and partner with local communities to construct or renovate houses.

More than 1500 people have volunteered with Habitat for Humanity on projects based in Ireland. In the last nine years Habitat has built or renovated 10 homes in the Dublin area and partnered with two other non-profits to renovate their housing accommodation for their residents.

About Habitat for Humanity Haiti

Habitat for Humanity has been at work in Haiti for 27 years and has provided housing solutions through a variety of initiatives including new home construction, progressive building, home repairs and improvements.

Habitat also builds capacity in construction skills, disaster risk reduction and financial literacy, and works in coordination with community and government agencies.