Architecture for Humanity Launches Philippines Floods Response Program for Long-Term Disaster Mitigation

SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 9, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In response to disastrous flooding this week in Manila, the Philippines, Architecture for Humanity is launching a long-term disaster response program to help rebuild and mitigate against similar future disasters in the region. 

On August 6, the Tropical Storm Haikui brought two days of heavy rains that caused massive flooding and landslides throughout the capital city of Manila in the Philippines. Over 800,000 people were evacuated from their homes and 250,000 people have moved into emergency shelters. It is estimated that 2 million people live in informal settlements in high-risk areas along riverbeds that are prone to flooding.

The Philippines Floods Response program intends to interrupt the cycle of destruction and displacement caused by severe weather and informal urban settlement in the country's lowlands and riverbeds. Architecture for Humanity has a local team on the ground and is seeking to engage additional architects, engineers, planners and community members in the development of housing solutions resilient against monsoons and severe weather associated with climate change. The organization's goal is to raise at least $100,000 to execute disaster resiliency and reconstruction program and provide communities with the skills and training needed to live more soundly in these environmental conditions.

Architecture for Humanity is calling on the international aid community to join in developing a long-term strategy. While many organizations will be acting quickly to execute disaster relief, support is critically needed for the 5-year period to rebuild and safeguard communities and structures against future disasters.

Architecture for Humanity has supported communities around the world to rebuild after disaster since 1999. The nonprofit design firm has undertaken previous reconstruction efforts in the Philippines, Columbia, Sri Lanka, Sindh Province in Pakistan, and Christchurch in New Zealand. They also maintain regional offices in Tohoku, Japan and Port-au-Prince, Haiti and are assisting those communities with construction training and economic development to ensure those post-disaster zones have the tools needed to build back better.

For more information on Architecture for Humanity's Philippines Flood Response Program, to donate and to get involved: http://architectureforhumanity.org/programs/philippines-floods-response.

About Architecture for Humanity
Architecture for Humanity is a nonprofit design services firm founded in 1999. We are building a more sustainable future through the power of professional design. By tapping a network of more than 50,000 professionals willing to lend time and expertise to help those who would not otherwise be able to afford their services, we bring design, construction and development services where they are most critically needed. 

SOURCE Architecture for Humanity