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As Winter Approaches in Chile, ADRA Provides Shelter for 5,000 Quake Survivors For more information, contact: John Torres, Senior Public Relations Manager Donate to ADRA’s Chile Earthquake Response Fund
SILVER SPRING, Md. —In preparation for the upcoming rains that are expected to arrive ahead of winter in Chile, the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) will build semi-permanent shelters for approximately 5,000 displaced residents in the country’s central coastal region, and provide better access to sanitation facilities, reported agency officials. The new project, which is valued at an estimated $1.4 million and is scheduled to end in September 2010, is not only designed to provide shelter for families during the upcoming winter months, but also help affected survivors rebuild their own homes, return to work, and restart their lives, according to Jorge Alé, country director for ADRA Chile. “This is a transitional step in an overall strategy designed to meet the permanent shelter needs of earthquake affected households in the targeted area,” said Alé. With financial support provided by the United States Agency for International Development’s Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (USAID/OFDA) and ADRA International, the Semi Permanent Shelter Program (SPSP) will provide temporary shelter for 1,000 displaced families, or 5,000 people, within the hardest hit areas of the country. ADRA will provide basic tools and teams of skilled carpenters to assist with the building of the shelters. Carpenters will also instruct families on how to build shelters, and troubleshoot for construction issues that arise as needed. According to Alé, this approach will also provide project durability, as families will learn the skills necessary to improve their temporary shelters over time to become longer-term shelter alternatives. Shelters will be made of pinewood, with an external covering composed of tarpaulins and plastic sheeting. Each structure will have a width of 20 feet (6 meters) and a height of 10 feet (3 meters), which will total 194 square feet (18 square meters) of living space. To give families the option of expanding their homes, the foundation for each shelter will be extended an additional 194 square feet (18 square meters). ADRA is assisting local municipalities to select beneficiaries, in coordination with pertinent local and national entities, including Chile’s National Emergency Office (ONEMI). As another component of the project, ADRA is also increasing access to sanitation for 800 of the targeted families, working with other entities to ensure that adequate and appropriate sanitation facilities are available at each shelter location, primarily through the construction of water-sealed latrines and the use of rented portable chemical toilets. The project will also promote the continued and improved use of hygiene practices among beneficiaries by creating and establishing hand-washing stations at each latrine location, which will include a small concrete or gravel pad for water run-off, a water storage container and hand soap. “Although we expect that the majority of households already practice adequate hygiene, it is important to ensure that families are aware of methods that can be used in an emergency context, when they do not have access to the facilities with which they are familiar,” continued Alé. To ensure that families are properly using the newly constructed hand-washing stations, ADRA will also implement hygiene education classes to promote clean and sanitary living conditions. The training will focus on four essential hygiene practices that have the greatest impact on reducing hygiene-related illnesses: appropriate hand washing, proper food handling, proper waste disposal, and safe water handling, storage and treatment. Demonstrations on latrine maintenance, hand washing techniques, and waste disposal practices will be conducted as well. According to a report by the United Nations, more than 1.8 million people have been affected by the earthquake and resulting tsunami in the country’s four most affected regions. More than 370,000 homes suffered considerable damage or have been completely destroyed. To support ADRA’s response, send your contribution to the Chile Earthquake Response Fund at www.adra.org, or contact ADRA at 1.800.424.ADRA (2372). To donate via mobile phone in the U.S. text the word “CHILE” to 27138, add a space followed by the amount you want to give (e.g. “CHILE 50). You will receive a call shortly to process your credit card donation. Follow ADRA on Twitter and Facebook to get the latest information as it happens. ADRA is a non-governmental organization present in 125 countries providing sustainable community development and disaster relief without regard to political or religious association, age, gender, race or ethnicity. For more information about ADRA, visit www.adra.org. Author: Nadia McGill |
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