Three Emergency supply missions have now been carried out by our partner Balay Mindanaw over the past four weeks.
We are now looking to change our focus and provide support for rebuilding homes.
With an estimated 20,000 houses damaged or destroyed this is going to be a massive task
One positive is that in similar disasters we have been able to provide enough materials for people to repair or rebuild for $500.
Home rebuilt following a typhoon in 2020
Over the coming months we will be providing material grants for Balay Mindanaw to purchase timber, roofing sheets nails, together with tools such as hammers and saws.
If you would like to help the people of the Dinagat Island rebuild their homes click on the link below;
October 13th is the United Nations Day of Disaster Aid Reduction.
At Disaster Aid Australia we are more known for Disaster Response but we are also involved in risk reduction, through resiliance.
Making Communities More Resiliant
Some of the ways we improve resiliance are
Training Not Doing
Our volunteers look to train and assist local people to help themselves.
This gives them the confidence to tackle future disasters.
It has also enabled DAA to continue to deliver Aid during the COVID pandemic.
Build Back Better
When we help people rebuild ther homes we provide information to help them build more resiliant houses.
This ‘Build Back Better’ approach includes things like stronger foundations and bracing systems that resist high winds.
Resiliant Water Systems
Our SkyHydrant water filters operate without the need for electricity or treatment chemicals.
When power supplies are down people can still access safe drinking water.
If you would like to help Disaster Aid Australia continue to help those in developing countries become more disaster resiliant, click on the link below;
With the COVID pandemic meaning that our DARTs are still unable to travel we are continuing to support our Disaster Aid International partners with Smart Aid Grants.
Disaster AId Canada has been working with the Rotary Club of Comayagua, in Houduras to help remote communities.
Rio Blanco
The Rio Blanco water system for was destroyed by flooding.
The community needs clean water to drink and cook.
They also need water to plant crops and stave off malnutrition and disease.
Every morning the women and children leave home at dawn to walk 2 kilometers with wheelbarrows, buckets and plastic containers to get water.
At the source they must wait for their turn to access the water with the other villagers.
The Project
The Plan is in two phases
Phase 1 invoves rebuilding the dam and the building of a sand filtration system.
Dam Site
Phase 2 will be a new main water pipe to the village.
The people of Rio Blanco will supply the labour and sand and gravel for the project.
Most of the transportation will be over little more than mule tracks and will require 4×4 trucks to get the materials to the town.
With US$7,700 raised by DA Canada, RC Comox. and Disaster Aid Australia for cement and reinforcing steel Phase 1 is ready to start.
If you would like to help Disaster Aid Australia continue to deliver smart Aid in developing countries then click on the link below;
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.
Distribution of building materials, Philippines
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
Rebuilt home in the Philippines
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.
Rebuilt Home in Chiapas, Mexico
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;
