Habitat for Humanity postpones the Carter Work Project in the Dominican Republic

• The housing NGO continues to carry out its regular projects in the country.

Santo Domingo, June 2020.- Habitat for Humanity Dominican Republic announces the indefinite postponement of the 2020 Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The project’s 37th edition had been scheduled for November this year in Santo Domingo, with the support of donors and local and international volunteers.

“Our top priority has always been to protect the volunteers, employees, donors and partner families we serve,” explains Cesarina Fabián, director of Habitat for Humanity Dominican Republic, who adds that the severity of the global pandemic was paramount in the decision, as the uncertainty created by COVID-19 makes it difficult for volunteers and sponsors to take part in the project.

Since 1984, former US President Jimmy Carter and former First Lady Rosalynn Carter have been volunteers and advocates for the importance of access to affordable, decent housing for all, donating their time and leadership every year to build and improve homes through Habitat for Humanity’s Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project. Inspiring millions, they have worked alongside more than 104,000 volunteers in 14 countries to build, renovate and repair 4,390 homes.

 

Although the Project has been postponed indefinitely this year, Hábitat Dominicana continues working so that vulnerable families keep receiving services through the organisation’s regular local building efforts.

 

“We are still working in the country,” says Fabián. “We are currently preparing to launch a campaign that will reach families made vulnerable by the pandemic, delivering hygiene kits and later emergency kits for possible storms or hurricanes. There is a great need for decent housing in our country, and we must help families who have no safe place to call home.”

Habitat for Humanity has been present in the Dominican Republic since 1986. The organisation has focused its efforts on improving and repairing homes for low-income families. As a result of its work, more than 27,000 housing solutions have been delivered and some 135,000 people impacted in the country.

“We thank the changemakers who, through donations, volunteering or lending their voice, support building a better life for low-income families in the Dominican Republic. We still have a lot of work to do. Today, more than ever, the importance of a decent, safe home where families can look after their health has been shown. We must work closely together to reduce the housing deficit in our country,” concludes Fabián.

About Habitat for Humanity Dominican Republic

With a vision of a world where everyone has a decent place to live, Habitat for Humanity Dominican Republic empowers families to build strength, stability and self-reliance through shelter. Since its creation in 1986, Hábitat Dominicana has delivered more than 27,000 housing solutions and impacted some 135,000 people.

Habitat for Humanity Dominican Republic contributes to the country by improving the living conditions of families without access to a decent place to live, either because they have no home or because their home is inadequate. It achieves this through several programmes, including building new homes, financial education, response and risk reduction activities for natural events, construction capacity building for families and builders, promoting access to microfinance products for home repairs and improvements for low-income families with technical construction assistance, and the help of volunteers. We empower through housing.

For more information and to support Habitat for Humanity, visit habitatdominicana.org or follow @habitatdominicana on social media.