Habitat houses for tsunami survivors

The Duke speaks to some who received houses

Four of the 35 houses built by Habitat for Humanity and funded by Tearfund UK were handed over to families who had lost everything in the tsunami, in Minnerithanne of the Kalutara District.

The houses were officially handed over to the families by the Duke of Gloucester who was accompanied by the British High Commissioner for Sri Lanka, Dr. Peter Hayes. They were welcomed at the Minnerthianne Housing Scheme by Tony Senewiratne, National Director, Habitat for Humanity in Sri Lanka.

Habitat for Humanity, a national NGO working in the country since 1995 is primarily committed to the 'Eradication of Poverty Housing' through microfinance and technical support. To date, Habitat has built over 7000 houses through its loan scheme in ten districts and 2400 tsunami houses. For further information see web www.hfhsl.org.

The Duke, who is the patron of Habitat for Humanity UK spent time with the homeowners discussing the impact of the project.