The tsunami disaster in asia has now claimed an incomprehensible 114,000 lives.

Our friend Cameron at Architecture for Humanity has launched a reconstruction appeal in tandem with WorldChanging.org.

On December 26th, a series of earthquakes occurred in the area of the western coast of Northern Sumatra, Andaman Islands and Nicobar Islands. The two strongest earthquakes had the magnitude of 8.9 and 7.3. The earthquakes caused tsunamis impacting nine countries in the region leaving more than 100,000+ dead and a further 1M forced from their homes. Over 10 countries are affected as far away as Somalia and Kenya with Aceh province in Indonesia and Sri Lanka said to be worst hit.

In response Architecture for Humanity and Worldchanging.com launched a reconstruction appeal. We set an intial target for rebuilding of $15,000 (enough to build a dozen homes, 2 schools or one mobile medical clinic). As of 11pm on December 29th we have reached $14,300 from 220 donors.

This fund is specifically to deal with rebuilding issues and we are speaking with local partners in the region which are focusing on the reconstruction process. Much like our previous response in Bam, Iran and Grenada, we work with groups who employ local labor and utilize construction techniques. By working those affected this keeps funds within the community and creates micro-economies for those trying to get out of this disaster. We have found this to be the most cost-effective way of rebuilding.

We are currently assembling local-based design and construction teams to work with carefully vetted relief groups. We are also refining a set of criteria for design/build work that will include employing local labor and construction techniques as well as economic and environmental sustainability.

As with all our disaster relief operations we are committed to zero overhead/admin. costs (everyone is donating their services and time and AFH is covering admin. costs) and directing 100% of funds towards the appeal.