Who we are

BuildAid was started in 2005 by a team of built environment professionals in response to the South East Asian Tsunami. The original concept was for BuildAid to provide technical expertise and funding for the post Tsunami rebuilding schemes utilising local suppliers, tradesmen and volunteers from the community.

Since then BuildAid has evolved from providing emergency aid, to long term community projects, using our specialist aid model to assist over 400,000 people in need across four continents. We operate pre-dominantly in post-disaster areas and we focus on building schools, orphanages and medical facilities as these are the areas we know we can make the most impact.

Our aid is permanent, cost effective and helps those who need it most.

Why BuildAid?

Following a natural disaster there are many organisations that run emergency appeals for mass aid operations and there are always countless generous people who are willing to donate their money. This large scale post-disaster relief that you often see publicised focuses on the most immediate needs - medical supplies, temporary shelter and food. However, we’ve increasingly noticed that in the chaos that ensues following a disaster, surplus aid money is often unnecessarily wasted on construction projects which may not be fit for purpose or sustainable.

At BuildAid, we are productive, precise and fit for purpose. We exist to bridge the critical gap in aid delivery, between short term emergency relief and effective long term construction aid. We combine our construction skills, oversight and experience to ensure our projects are built to last, maximised on cost, and last the community a lifetime

Maximum aid delivery

One of our defining aims is what we call ‘maximum aid delivery’- this is essentially a remit to deliver construction aid projects in simple and pragmatic way, ensuring they are as useful, enduring and as cost effective as possible.

Normally in post disaster scenarios both relief and transition phases will take place over an initial few weeks/months, after which our programme team will the visit affected areas, carry out damage and needs assessments speak to local stakeholders and user groups, and identify the most effective way to help the community for the long term.

To ensure we can get projects off the ground quickly we use local materials and labour, applying our design and construction experience, effective procurement and cost planning strategies to ensure project work achieves maximum usefulness, is cost effective, and can be undertaken in a timely fashion. Of course another key benefit of this local approach is that it means the buildings will always be easily maintainable by the community and therefore sustainable.

Get in touch

Since we began we have assisted in the welfare health and education of thousands of children and vulnerable people. Any support, from simply spreading the word, to helping to fund a project, means we can help more people. If you would like to come on board as a partner or simply want to find out more, please get in touch or email hello@buildaid.org

BuildAid

Parndon Mill,
Parndon Mill Lane,
Harlow, Essex, CM20 2HP

T: (+44) 01279 797 060
E: info@buildaid.org
UK registered charity 1108811