Habitat for Humanity Thailand receives THB6.27 million from Nissan to help Families in Substandard Housing

Bangkok, Jan 22, 2013 – (ACN Newswire) – Habitat for Humanity Thailand and Nissan Motor (Thailand) today announced the launch of a project to help 33 families living in Sam Khok district in Pathum Thani province. Under the partnership, Nissan will donate THB4.35 million in cash and two Nissan Navara 4×4 pick-up trucks (worth THB1.92 million), bringing the total value of the donation to THB6.27 million (approximately US$210,000).

Nissan’s cash donation will be used by Habitat for Humanity Thailand to build 15 houses and repair a further 18 homes for families in areas badly affected by flooding in late 2011. The two Nissan Navara trucks will be used to assist with daily operations related to the construction and repair of houses. The vehicles will also be used by Habitat for Humanity Thailand to expand its reach to support more Thai families living in substandard housing conditions and create a more sustainable and better quality of life for them.

At the project kickoff today, some 100 Nissan employees took part in building homes for the target families. At the event, Takayuki Kimura, Nissan Motor Asia-Pacific President and Nissan Motor (Thailand) President, presented a check and keys of the donated vehicles to Chamnarn Wangtal, Habitat for Humanity Thailand CEO, and Rick Hathaway, Habitat for Humanity Vice-President for Asia-Pacific.

Mr. Hathaway said: “Nissan’s partnership with Habitat for Humanity in Thailand and several countries in Asia Pacific enables families to live in healthy, secure houses and rebuild their lives after a disaster. This assistance from Nissan helps Habitat for Humanity work towards achieving its vision of a world where everyone has a decent place to live.”

Mr. Wangtal added: “We thank Nissan for their donation to assist families who were greatly affected by the floods. The homes of these poor families are in desperate need of repairs. Nissan’s support will help relieve families who are struggling, by giving them stability and an opportunity to start a new life.

“The donation of two Nissan Navara trucks will also be of long-term benefit to Habitat for Humanity Thailand as they will enable us to expand our community outreach efforts because our work often requires accessing rural areas across difficult terrain.”

At the event today, six families were the first to receive keys to their new homes from Mr. Kimura. Amongst them was Waraporn Komloi, a 38-year-old supermarket employee, who said: “As a family we had been discussing how to repair and improve our home. It was already old and dilapidated, and then the flooding damaged it further. Five of us used to share a toilet. As most of the family members aren’t earning much, we weren’t able to save anything. We used to be able to find loans, but ever since the flooding, getting a loan is very expensive.

“On behalf of the families, I thank Nissan and Habitat for Humanity Thailand for looking out for us and reaching out to give us some unexpected help. You have given us the house we had always wanted, but didn’t know how to get.”

This latest partnership between Nissan and Habitat for Humanity Thailand is part of a wider global relationship announced in September 2012, when Nissan donated US$1 million to launch projects in India, Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam, as well as in Thailand. Nissan is also working with Habitat for Humanity Japan to support areas affected by the 2011 earthquake and tsunami.

About Habitat for Humanity’s partnership with Nissan

Nissan’s partnership with Habitat for Humanity began in 2006 when Nissan North America supported Habitat’s efforts in areas affected by hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

About Habitat for Humanity Thailand

Established in 1998, Habitat for Humanity Thailand builds homes and transforms communities. Through partnerships with like-minded organizations, Habitat for Humanity Thailand works for sustainable, positive change – giving low-income families the opportunity to own their own home, educate young people, be healthy and contribute to society. In order to meet the holistic needs of families and communities, Habitat for Humanity Thailand cooperates with various sectors to provide job training, support for home-based industry, health and community centers, libraries and more.

In 14 years, Habitat for Humanity has built, repaired or rehabilitated more than 8,800 houses and supported more than 44,000 people across Thailand have a better quality of life, good hygiene, and opportunities to educate their children.

Since the floods in 2011, Habitat for Humanity Thailand has provided assistance to affected families. Working with both public and private sector organizations to raise funds, construction materials and gather volunteers, Habitat for Humanity Thailand has repaired or rebuild more than 1,000 households and 29 schools, bringing smiles and hope to those who were affected and helped return life to normal.www.habitatthailand.org.

About Habitat for Humanity International

Habitat for Humanity is a global non-government organization that welcomes to its work all people dedicated to the cause of eliminating poverty housing. Since its founding in 1976, Habitat has built, rehabilitated, repaired or improved more than 600,000 houses worldwide, providing simple, decent and affordable shelter for more than 3.0 million people.www.habitat.org/asiapacific

Contact:

Heron Holloway

+65 9068 1892

hholloway@habitat.org