Architecture for Humanity and World Changing Team Up for Tsunami Relief

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On December 26, a series of earthquakes off the coast of Northern Sumatra caused tsunamis that left at least 75,000 dead and one million homeless in nine surrounding countries. Though numerous aid organizations quickly sprang into action, the existing efforts have been inadequate in the face of such widespread and total devastation. In an attempt to catalyze reconstruction of the many wrecked homes and public facilities, the nonprofit organization Architecture for Humanity (AFH) has set up a fund through their Web site. AHF plans to use local labor in all aspects of the reconstruction, creating a cost-effective micro-economy that helps revitalize affected areas while avoiding unwieldy overhead costs. World Changing, a technology news site with a focus on environmentally and socially conscious innovation, has joined in the effort to promote the site, providing publicity and guidance to AFH's rebuilding effort. Both organizations have vowed to direct 100% of donated funds to local efforts, using none of the money to cover operational and administrative costs. The revitalization effort is sorely needed in countries such as Sri Lanka, India, Indonesia, and Thailand, where many of the tsunami's victims were already living in desperate poverty before the tragedy struck.

Go there >>Tsunami Reconstruction Appeal

Related Links:

• Tsunami Help (The South-East Asia Earthquake and Tsunami)
• Network for Good
• ReliefWeb - South Asia: Earthquake and Tsunami
• World Changing

Related Links from the Utne Archive:

• Bam: The Catastrophe Continues
• Cradle to Cradle International Housing Design Competition
• Building as if Life Mattered($$)

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