Holcim (Lanka) a cement manufacturer in Sri Lanka, announced that it will be supporting the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) with its housing programme for conflict affected families in the Northern Province of Sri Lanka. The programme, which focuses primarily on improving construction skills of housing beneficiaries and local artisans, will span a period of 6-8 months. Implemented through Holcim’s Corporate Social Responsibility programme, this initiative is valued at more than 2 million Sri Lankan rupees. The project, entitled ‘Training on Beneficiary Capacity Building’ (BCB), is aimed at improving vocational skills of housing beneficiaries who are rebuilding their homes through the ‘Homeowner Driven’ reconstruction methodology adopted by UN-Habitat.

Speaking at the event CEO of Holcim (Lanka), Philippe Richart commented, “It is indeed a privilege to partner UN Habitat for such a worthy cause. The project aims to improve basic construction skills, including site planning, selection of suitable construction materials, the use of environmentally responsive construction methods and quality management. The target participants will include key stakeholders in the construction process including community leaders and masons. Further support to the housing project will include the provision of building materials for vulnerable families who are facing difficulties in completing construction of their houses, additional support to beneficiaries who are adopting environmentally sustainable construction techniques and assistance with reconstruction of selected community infrastructure.”

Holcim (Lanka) will also supply 1,000 cement bags to vulnerable families who adopt environmentally sustainable technologies in construction, while facilitating the construction of drinking water wells in selected water scarce villages.

Commenting on the project, UN-Habitat Sri Lanka’s Chief Technical Advisor, Tim McNair, stated “The on-going reconstruction process in the North has many challenges including the price escalation of building materials and lack of skilled construction workers.”