News

Limiting Cyclone, Earthquake & Tsunami Damage to Houses in the Asia-Pacific Region ( 2 Feb 2009 )

Dear Supporters,

This newsletter provides me with an opportunity to thank our many supporters and volunteers, who work tirelessly towards the common goal of providing safe affordable housing and associated buildings across the Asia-Pacific region.

Electronic Blueprint is proud to support the voluntary work of Partner Housing Australasia (Building) Incorporated, a charitable organisation that provides pro-bono architectural, engineering and building services to developing communities throughout the Asia-Pacific region.

This bi-monthly edition of the Electronic Update honours the work of the many building professionals engaged in this voluntary work. What is Partner Housing? Partner Housing Australasia (Building) Incorporated has provided affordable housing since its incorporation in September 1989 (trading until 2005 as Habitat for Humanity NSW Inc.)

The first overseas assignment, in 2005, involved major design and construction audits of tsunami reconstruction in Thailand, Indonesia, India and Sri Lanka, commissioned by a major international NGO carrying out the construction work. Since then, Partner Housing has provided extensive assistance for building projects in Solomon Islands, Kiribati, Timor Leste and other countries. In Australia, Partner Housing Australasia (Building) Incorporated has constructed and provided finance for 16 homes for low income families; and assisted our sister organisation [Partner Housing Australasia (Regional) Incorporated] in the construction of another five.

House Reconstruction – Ache (Indonesia)

House Reconstruction, Villupurum (India)

Septic & Effluent Tanks Preu-Teo (Thailand)

House Reconstruction, Galle (Sri Lanka )

Mobilising Volunteer Professionals
Large charitable organisations seeking to raise substantial quantities of money increasingly rely on paid staff to conduct professional fund-raising campaigns. However, Partner Housing has remained clearly focussed on our mission as a volunteer-based organisation, concentrating our activities on the provision of pro-bono services, rather than the expenditure of major finance. Our major role is matching volunteers with the right skills to specific building projects in Australia and overseas. Notwithstanding, our organisation still needs to fund on-going project supervision work and the purchase of building materials, donations are most welcome.

Project Report
Partner Housing offers “Pro-Bono Design & Help-Desk Services” and “Design & Supervision” programs to other organisations in developing countries. We offer to fund, train and monitor building supervisors, whilst supplying them with professionally produced design and documentation for a range of housing.

Tab North Hospital ( Kiribati )

Site of Sewage Outfall, Tab North Hospital

House Safety – Asia-Pacific Region
Partner Housing is about to undertake a major long-term project to improve the safety of houses in areas prone to earthquakes, tsunamis and cyclones. Commencing with a project in the Solomon Islands and then moving to Papua New Guinea, Partner Housing will provide:

• Funds for the purchase and delivery of materials for bracing sets;
• Funds for the employment of local building supervisors;
• Pro-bono design for retrofitting bracing and anchorages;
• Training packages and mentoring for local supervisors.

The Problem – Tsunami Damage

The Solution – Bracing ( Solomon Islands )

Pro-Bono Technical Assistance and Mentoring
Partner Housing offers “Design & Supervision” programs to other major NGOs (non-government organisations) that are undertaking “Disaster-Relief” housing and “Save & Build” housing programs” in developing countries. We offer to fund, train and monitor building supervisors in developing countries, whilst supplying them with professionally produced design and documentation for a range of projects. We currently provide pro-bono engineering assistance to the Government of Kiribati.

May I conclude by paying tribute the hard work and dedication of many people who contribute tirelessly to the work of Partner Housing, providing pro-bono professional design services and supporting the efficient operation of the organisation.

Rod Johnston
Chairman

Partner Housing Australasia (Building) Incorporated.

To Provide Professional Assistance
If you are an architect, engineer or builder, and you would like to assist our neighbours in less developed countries by providing pro-bono professional assistance; or if you would like further information please email rod@electronicblueprint.com.au

To Make Donation
Please complete and return the slip below, together with your donation. This will be signed and returned to you by post as your official receipt. Donations over $ 2.00 for work in Australia are tax deductible.