September 30, 2009

bcadmin

Another earthquake hits West Sumatra, proof of concept for Build Change: none of the 655 homeowners who followed Build Change minimum standards for safe construction have damage in this earthquake.   Build Change expands operations again, supporting NGOs such as CARE, Catholic Relief Services, Mercy Corps, Oxfam, and Save the Children to provide technical assistance for safe housing reconstruction and builders training programs.  While external agencies promote temporary shelters and masonry structures, Build Change supports the local government in promoting timber frame buildings, already common and preferred, and a cash plus technical assistance rebuilding model (homeowner-driven reconstruction).