At Habitat for Humanity Australia, we’re dedicated to building a world where everyone has a safe, affordable place to call home. Across the Asia-Pacific region, we’re working hand-in-hand with local partners in countries like Vietnam, Cambodia, Nepal, Bangladesh, and the Pacific Islands to address critical needs in shelter, water access, sanitation, and climate resilience. Here’s a look at some of the projects currently underway, each designed to support stability and self-reliance for vulnerable communities. Our projects receive support from the Australian Government through the Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP) and is in partnership with our implementing partners Habitat for Humanity Bangladesh, Habitat for Humanity Nepal, Habitat for Humanity Cambodia and Habitat for Humanity Vietnam.
Vietnam’s Path to Climate Resilience
In Vietnam’s northern and southern provinces of Lao Cai and Kien Giang, we’re partnering with local communities on an initiative called Adaptation for All. This program focuses on building resilience to climate challenges such as landslides, floods, and droughts. Through training in the Participatory Approach for Safe Shelter Awareness (PASSA) methodology, community members learn to identify vulnerabilities and take proactive steps for climate adaptation.
Project Highlights:
- Constructing water facilities like wells and rainwater harvesting systems to address water shortages
- Providing climate-resilient housing and household latrines, with priority for elderly people, women-headed households, and people with disabilities
- Hosting knowledge-sharing sessions with government and community organisations to encourage policy integration
Empowering Women for Shelter and Resilience in Cambodia
Our Gender-Inclusive Approach to Shelter & Resilience program in Cambodia focuses on the unique needs of women and vulnerable groups facing climate impacts. In the Chon Ta Trav Commune of Siem Reap Province, women-led PASSA groups are leading community action plans, ensuring a gender-sensitive approach to disaster resilience.
Key Outcomes:
- Building and upgrading safe, resilient housing and Water, Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH) facilities
- Providing training in financial literacy and home-based business skills, along with micro-grants to support livelihood opportunities
- Advocating for gender-responsive policies at local and national levels in climate adaptation strategies
Resilient Communities in Eastern Nepal
In Nepal’s Jhapa, Saptari, and Dhanusha districts, our Resilient, Inclusive & Sustainable Eastern Nepal (RISEN) project strengthens local disaster risk management frameworks with a people-focused, inclusive approach. This program empowers communities to prepare for and manage climate- and disaster-related risks.
Program Highlights:
- Forming Local Disaster Management Committees (LDMCs) to implement disaster risk reduction plans
- Renovating homes to ensure accessibility for people with disabilities, enhancing inclusive disaster preparedness
- Conducting advocacy and training sessions for disaster resilience, with an emphasis on gender- and disability-sensitive planning
Building Resilient Slum Settlements in Dhaka, Bangladesh
Our Building Resilient Urban Slum Settlements project in Dhaka, Bangladesh, works to improve living conditions in informal urban settlements. By collaborating closely with local communities, we’re making strides to enhance housing, WASH facilities, and livelihood skills for sustainable development.
Key Activities:
- Upgrading homes to withstand seasonal floods and high temperatures
- Repairing and improving communal WASH infrastructure and footpaths for better sanitation and hygiene
- Offering technical and vocational training to create job opportunities for residents of the Bengutilia slum
Supporting Resilience in the Pacific
In the Pacific, we’re extending our efforts to build climate resilience and improve housing security. This year, we completed a comprehensive Housing Context Analysis in the Solomon Islands, which provides insights into local housing challenges and recommendations for partnerships and pilot projects tailored to these needs. In Vanuatu, we expanded on our previous assessments by conducting a Housing Value Chain Assessment in collaboration with the Vanuatu government’s Department of Urban Affairs and Planning. This work offers vital information on the barriers that vulnerable families face in accessing safe shelter, guiding the development of the new Vanuatu National Housing Policy and Building Code.
These Pacific initiatives reflect a broader strategy to address systemic housing needs and strengthen resilience against climate impacts. By working closely with local governments and communities, Habitat for Humanity Australia aims to reduce housing vulnerability, provide sustainable solutions, and promote a safer, more resilient future for families in the Pacific.
Habitat for Humanity Australia’s overseas programs reflect a holistic, sustainable approach to development, empowering communities to build strength, stability, and self-reliance. Through targeted support in housing, sanitation, climate resilience, and economic opportunity, these initiatives bring hope and meaningful change to families in vulnerable regions. Each project not only addresses immediate needs but also lays a foundation for resilient futures, supporting individuals and communities to thrive despite challenges.
Read more of our impact stories from overseas or in Australia here.
