A couple of weeks ago our assessment teams returned from the Kasmir border and it is estimated that another 50,000 could die from lack of shelter in the mountainous region over the next six months. At Build Boston last Thursday we announced a call for ideas for earthquake resistant housing schemes that will help empower communities on the long-term reconstruction effort. Designers have until January 20th to put together schemes that utilize local materials and technology. More technical details and criteria are being assembled by Arup engineers and will be on the AFH website in the next week.

Once ideas are collected and reviewed a number of schemes will be developed into pictorial form and collated into book/pamphlet for distribution throughout the Kashmir region.

This initative is being supported by Arup Associates, AIGA, AFH-Boston, AFH-MN and a number of national and locally based NGOs' in Pakistan.