Due to the earthquake in central Java on May 27th, 2006, nearly 5-6,000 people died and over 120,000 houses were destroyed. The branch office of Habitat Indonesia (the affiliate) is in Yogyakarta where severe damages were reported. Their staff and volunteers are involved in revival support for damage from the earthquake.

The most serious damage was done to the houses built with only mud to connect bricks, the methods and materials that disregard earthquake safety. Along with the help of local university specialists and volunteers, Habitat created a resource center and began educational activities that encouraged earthquake-resistant architecture.
Habitat also established the one year plan to build 1,000 simple shelters by July 2007. These earthquake resistant simple-framed "core houses" boast a foundation of reinforced concrete frames and bricks joined by mortar, with the upper half consisting of light wood construction. The core houses' flexible design allows for an owner to reuse all of the building materials to relocate and reconstruct a house with a proffered floor plan after the objectives of disaster response have been fulfilled.
As the cost of one core house was approximately ?\320,000 (Approx. $2,700 USD), the comprehensive cost for our objective totals ?\320,000,000 (Approx. $2.6 million USD).

In mid-2007, the affiliate completed the rebuilding program in mid-2007, exceeding its original target by helping more than 1,000 families rebuild their homes and lives.
Habitat Japan was speaking out in an effort to gather donations in Japan to join in the recovery effort. Your kind support was highly appreciated. We closed a donation application for the recovery effort. Thank you very much for your help.