Photo by Lam Quoc Toan for Habitat for Humanity Vietnam

VIETNAM – Nov. 30. Residents of Tien Phong commune in the Typhoon Ketsana-affected area of Quang Nam Province, Vietnam, receive roofing materials to use in repairing damage to their houses.  In addition to steel roofing sheets, the repair kits supplied by Habitat for Humanity Vietnam include wire and screws that are used to anchor the sheets to the roof frame, making the roofs and houses much more secure in times of high winds and rain.

More than 600 families are benefiting from phase I of the disaster recovery project, which includes training in proper roof construction, roofing materials and technical assistance to assure the quality of roofing repairs. Habitat is seeking funding to continue its work in disaster-prone Central Vietnam. By providing disaster mitigation training and interventions as well as major renovations and new home construction for families whose homes were destroyed by the typhoon.

Initial funding for the Typhoon Ketsana recovery project came from the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and corporates ExxonMobil Exploration and Production Vietnam, Schneider Electric Vietnam and Holcim Cement. Also vital to the timeliness and success of the project are partnerships with local government entities and with non-governmental organizations, including East Meets West and the Red Cross.