Saturday, 10th December is International Human Rights Day 2011, a day dedicated to celebrating the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) which was adopted on 10 December 1948.
The UDHR consists of 30 articles outlining a broad range of fundamental human rights, we are all entitled to and has served as the foundation for an expanding system of human rights protection that today focuses also on vulnerable groups such as disabled persons, indigenous peoples and migrant workers.
Habitat for Humanity believe that everyone has the right to safe and decent shelter and many articles within the UDHR declare the right to shelter, community, food security, educational opportunities and a livelihood. The core aims of Habitat’s work.
Habitat for Humanity helped 81,399 families improve their shelter conditions through new construction, rehabilitation and repairs during 2011, in almost 80 countries around the world. This breaks Habitat’s previous record set to serve 74,960 families this year.
In addition to the assistance provided through its construction and repair programs, Habitat has also helped more than 6,000 families establish legal rights to a house or land and provided more than 157,000 individuals with technical assistance including legal help, financial literacy training, and construction advice and training.
Habitat also celebrated the milestone of building it’s 500,000th house worldwide in 2011, serving more than 2.5 million people of all races, faiths and backgrounds.
As we celebrate Human Rights Day take time to think of those who are still denied their right to a home.A place where families can feel safe, children can learn and grow and families can remain healthy.
If you would like to take practical action why not support the Hope Starts at Home campaign, helping to give orphans and vulnerable children a home, but importantly a future. Click here>