Habitat for Humanity Readies Response to Hurricane Irma

ATLANTA, September 6, 2017 /3BL Media/ – As Hurricane Irma makes landfall in the Caribbean and moves toward the United States, Habitat for Humanity – already at work in storm-ravaged southeast Texas – is preparing to expand its hurricane recovery response. Through the Habitat Hammers Back initiative, Habitat for Humanity is working with its local offices in Irma’s projected path to prepare for the storm and is positioning response equipment.

“Our prayers are with those in the path of Hurricane Irma,” said Habitat for Humanity International CEO Jonathan Reckford. “Just as we are already working to help those hit by Hurricane Harvey, we will be ready to respond to Irma.”

Working through its local offices as well as deploying trained Disaster Corps volunteers, Habitat conducts rapid assessments of storm damage and helps clean out homes damaged by winds and flood waters. Habitat’s long-term post-disaster recovery efforts include repair of damaged homes and construction of new affordable homes. Construction plans will be determined after evaluations and will depend on the level of support received from donors, volunteers, corporate partners and other community organizations.

“People of compassion have opened their hearts and their wallets as they have seen the damage wrought by Harvey, and now it is clear as Irma threatens even more destruction that we need their support more than ever,” Reckford added.

Habitat is already at work responding to Hurricane Harvey, helping families to clean up and prepare for the rebuilding effort to come. Habitat has been responding to disasters since 1997 and to date has helped more than 230,000 families in 52 countries through its disaster response work. Following Hurricane Katrina, Habitat organizations along the Gulf Coast built more than 6,000 homes and removed debris and cleaned more than 2,500 homes in preparation for rehabilitation. Habitat also mounted responses to Hurricane Sandy, tornadoes through the South and Midwest, and earthquakes and typhoons overseas.

More information on Habitat for Humanity’s response to Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Irma can be found at habitat.org.

About Habitat for Humanity

Driven by the vision that everyone needs a decent place to live, Habitat for Humanity began in 1976 as a grassroots effort on a community farm in southern Georgia. The Christian housing organization has since grown to become a leading global nonprofit working in more than 1,300 communities throughout the U.S. and in more than 70 countries. Families and individuals in need of a hand up partner with Habitat for Humanity to build or improve a place they can call home. Habitat homeowners help build their own homes alongside volunteers and pay an affordable mortgage. Through financial support, volunteering or adding a voice to support affordable housing, everyone can help families achieve the strength, stability and self-reliance they need to build better lives for themselves. Through shelter, we empower. To learn more, visit habitat.org.