Naibonat, Kab. Kupang, NTT, September 14, 2021 – Tropical Cyclone Seroja hit the East Nusa Tenggara area in early April 2021. The sea storm that first reached the mainland severely destroyed various buildings, public facilities, and people’s houses. Thousands of families have been forced to flee because they have lost their homes. The fact is that until now, the recovery process for families affected by this disaster is still not over. Many still struggle to live in huts, tents, and relatives’ places with minimal facilities.

The Groundbreaking Event for this program was held on Sep14 with representatives from Local Governments, partners, and Habitat as the audiences on-site and online. Susanto Samsudin, National Director of Habitat for Humanity Indonesia said, “A home is a basic need that must be owned after a disaster because it is used as a shelter and restore conditions. Even in a pandemic situation, the house is essential to avoid the virus by staying at home. We must feel what they feel. A positive impact can occur for the families of disaster survivors in NTT if we all participate. Driven by the spirit of unity as one nation and brothers in Indonesia, Habitat Indonesia invites more people to play a role in helping them.”

Post-disaster recovery takes a long time and requires support from all parties. Habitat for Humanity Indonesia wants to help families in NTT recover faster from disasters by building decent housing. In collaboration with the Wahana Visi Indonesia Foundation, donor partners, the Kupang Regency Government, and the community, Habitat Indonesia will start building decent houses for the affected families. Until 2022, there will be 97 new homes built, and  20 houses renovated in Naibonat, Oesao, and Takari, in Kupang Regency, East Nusa Tenggara.

Angelina Theodora, National Director & CEO of Wahana Visi Indonesia,  also said,

“A partnership between Habitat for Humanity Indonesia and Wahana Visi Indonesia focus on building 100 homes to provide an appropriate response to the needs of the community after the disaster. Today is symbolically started house construction activities, which positively illustrates a good commitment and cooperation between various stakeholders in Kupang Regency. We hope that living in a safe and comfortable home will accelerate the recovery process for families  affected by disaster and support the recovery of post-disaster children to be able to live fully intact in Naibonat Village, East Kupang District.”

The collaboration carried out by Habitat for Humanity Indonesia, and Wahana Visi Indonesia focuses on restoring the condition of the community, especially in Kupang Regency. This was welcomed by Drs. Korinus Masneno, Regent of Kupang Regency, in his opening remarks, “People have lost their homes due to Tropical Cyclone Seroja in Naibonat, Oesao, and Takari Villages. On behalf of the local government, I am grateful for God’s love through these two institutions’ initiatives to build livable houses and renovate dilapidated houses.

Until now, there is still a need for funds for ongoing development; everyone is invited to see how a sense of unity as a nation can drive significant changes, especially a faster recovery process for those affected by disasters in NTT. One Nusa, One Taste, because NTT is Us!

Friday, Sept 24, 2021 – Habitat for Humanity Indonesia, as part of a global humanitarian movement under the auspices of Habitat for Humanity International, also promotes World Habitat Day, which is commemorated every October 4, 2021.

Through various programs and collaborations with multiple parties, Habitat Indonesia seeks to express its impact in many aspects of life by focusing on housing issues. The impact expressed through our work extends beyond decent buildings to live in, health, education, and even indirectly to the economic improvement and development for families in need and the country.

The construction industry — led by homebuilding — is a large, often-overlooked source of jobs in emerging market economies, according to a report released today by Habitat for Humanity to mark World Habitat Day.

Every $1 million in construction output creates an average of 97 jobs in emerging markets, economists at the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Southern California, and the University of Washington found in the report commissioned by Habitat for Humanity’s Terwilliger Center for Innovation in Shelter. That compares to 81 jobs created per $1 million in agricultural output and 96 jobs per $1 million in output in the accommodation and food services sector, according to the report, which focuses on 9 countries: Brazil, Colombia, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Peru, the Philippines, South Africa, and Uganda.

“Investment in residential construction represents a potential win-win-win in emerging markets because it creates such a large number of jobs locally, helps close stubborn gaps in affordable housing and stimulates the larger economy,” said Patrick Kelley, vice president of Habitat’s Terwilliger Center. “These findings are critically important for low- and middle-income countries deciding what areas to prioritize as they work to build back economies weakened by the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in a world where 1.6 billion people still lack adequate shelter.”

In Indonesia, construction for low-income families can help them live, be independent, and be sustainable. During the pandemic, the main stronghold house is protected from the virus. Through decent housing, low-income families in Indonesia can survive and do work to maintain the family’s economic stability.

During its 24 years of service in Indonesia, Habitat Indonesia, through its housing and home support programs, has supported more than 165,000 families. In providing it, Habitat Indonesia also involves beneficiaries and local communities in building so that they have the opportunity to work.

Find more information about the report titled A Ladder Up: The construction sector’s role in creating jobs and rebuilding emerging market economies on October 4^th, 2021 trough Habitat Indonesia social media and websites.