The New Nation - Internet Edition

BUSINESS REPORT

A three-day conference of Habitat For Humanity International ended on Saturday with a clarion call to enhance urban housing solution in Bangladesh as well as in South Asian countries.

Habitat is looking into a paradigm shift approach in Bangladesh in only rural to urban and peri-urban housing solution, said the top leaders of HFHI while explaining the outcome of the three-day conference at a press briefing session held at Dhaka Regency Hotel and Resort.

Jonathon Reckford, CEO, HFHI, Atlanta, USA, Kyle Scott, Regional Programme Manager, HFHI South Asia, Kelly Koch, National Director (incoming), HFHI Bangladesh and Emelda S. Mullick, PR and Resource Development Manager of HFHI Bangladesh, addressed the press briefing.

"We are expecting 5,000 distressed families of Bangladesh to be benefited through the housing solution activities in next five years, the HFHI chief said.

Considering natural calamities and disaster the HFHI has undertaken specialised project in Bangladesh named Disaster Response Project he added. 280 houses will be built in two major Sidr heat areas named Mirjagonj and Bakerganj, Mr Reckfor informed.

Kyle Scott said, study shows that a high rate of internal migration in Bangladesh. 'So we are looking into a paradigm shift approach in only rural to urban and peri-urban housing solution. RMG workers who are living in very unhealthy environment in the urban areas are going to be the major target group of HFHI activities," Scott said.

The conference began on Thursday with the theme of 'Scaling up urban housing solution in South Asia' was participated by more than 100 representatives from 12 countries of the world mainly from Asia.