When Disaster Aid Australia responds to a disaster one of the key elements in helping those affected is ‘Shelter’.
Our SmartAid approach to Shelter is to help people repair and/or rebuild their homes.
The first step in this approach is to arrange for in-country purchase of materials, which we have found is faster, and less expensive, than trying to import materials or temporary accomodation.
![](https://www.disasteraidaustralia.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/129333708_10221342314962302_3791164677782077384_o-e1608508404935-1024x583.jpg)
By helping those affected build their home, rather than provide temporary accomodation, we help build pride and certaintly.
A second step is to help people build more resilient homes, a process known as ‘Build Back Better’.
Build Back Better -Timber Frames
Timber frame construction is quite common in the Asia Pacific region.
When ‘Building Back Better‘ we help people rebuild homes with;
- Foundations that tie the building down, and the structure together;
- Bracing against movement:
- Stronger fixings
![](https://www.disasteraidaustralia.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/IMG_4711-scaled-e1628210925177-1024x776.jpg)
These make the buildings more resilient to the typhoons that sweep the pacific on a regular basis.
Build Back Better – Masonry
Although masonry construction is generally more resistant to typhoons is can be severly damaged by earthquakes.
Our help for rebuilding masonry homes in earthquake regions includes:
- Strong foundations;
- Reinforcing the walls horizontally and vertically with reinforced concrete columns at corners and openings;
- A lightweight roof.
![](https://www.disasteraidaustralia.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/JEGP9837-1024x768.jpg)
If you would like to help Disaster Aid Australia continue to help disaster affected people ‘Build Back Better’ with Smart Aid . . . click on the link below;
DONATE
Charity donations of $2 or more to Disaster Aid Australia are tax-deductible in Australia.