Addis ababa: Habitat for Humanity International has affirmed Ethiopia’s potential to be a model in unlocking its enormous housing assets and opportunities across Africa. Habitat for Humanity International CEO Jonathan Reckford, who attended the high-level Panel Discussion on Housing in Ethiopia and across Africa this week in Addis Ababa, told ENA that Africa is central to Habitat for Humanity’s global strategy.
According to Ethiopian News Agency, Reckford revealed an ambitious goal of helping 50 million people over the next three years, expressing hope that Ethiopia can be a model for Habitat for Humanity’s work across Africa. He emphasized the need for Ethiopia to harness its enormous assets and opportunities in the housing sector.
Habitat for Humanity plans to build more housing in Ethiopia and act as a partner and catalyst in bringing research and technical assistance to the country. Reckford highlighted the global issue of 1.1 billion people living in informal settlements, a number expected to double without intervention, stressing the need to increase housing and formalize informal settlements.
Reckford identified rapid urbanization and climate change as major global trends, with Africa being the most rapidly urbanizing continent, exacerbating the housing crisis. He stressed the importance of creating resilient housing and communities, using sustainable local materials, and ensuring safety for families.
Investing in housing, according to Reckford, addresses multiple issues, such as reducing medical costs, boosting economic activity, and creating jobs. He emphasized the need for infrastructure investment by the government to create an enabling environment for housing development, supported by market forces.
The CEO concluded by underscoring the importance of active engagement from the public sector, private sector, and civil society in addressing the complex issue of housing.