The Dow Chemical Company (NYSE: DOW) and Habitat for Humanity announced today plans to expand their partnership in 2015 to address global housing and sanitation issues, helping thousands of families across five continents create decent, affordable housing. With first-time builds in Ethiopia, Argentina, Colombia and Nepal, Dow is increasing its support to a total of 30 countries since becoming Habitat's first national partner in 1983.
"Dow and Habitat recognize that affordable housing is one of the world's most pressing challenges," said Rob Vallentine, president, The Dow Chemical Company Foundation. "For over 30 years, we have worked together to not only build homes, but change lives. As our world continues to grow and people are in need of proper housing and access to basic infrastructure, we look forwarding to building upon our innovative relationship with Habitat to provide safe, decent housing."
Dow and Habitat have a long-standing collaborative partnership, focusing on innovation and solving community needs. In 2015, the partnership will take on a new challenge - addressing extensive sanitation issues in Ethiopia. One in four families in the country's capital, Addis Ababa, has no access to sanitation facilities, making them susceptible to illness and disease. In Dow's first sanitation project, employees will work with Habitat for Humanity Ethiopia to build sanitation facilities to serve an estimated 140 families.
In Nepal, Dow volunteers will help build homes in partnership with 100 families as part of Habitat for Humanity's Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project. In addition, Dow employees will participate in first-time builds at various construction projects in Argentina and a rehabilitation/revitalization project in Colombia.
Dow's 2015 support of Habitat emphasizes the company's commitment to positively impact 1 billion people, a target of Dow's 2025 Sustainability Goals. Over the next 10 years, Dow employees worldwide have committed to applying their talents to positively impact the lives of others, enabling education and sustainable development one community at a time.
In 2015, Dow will continue its financial support of Habitat and anticipates gift-in-kind contributions of STYROFOAM™ Brand Insulation, GREAT STUFF PRO™ Insulating Foam Sealants and WEATHERMATE™ Weather Barrier Solutions. To date, Dow has contributed more than $70 million in cumulative giving to Habitat and has helped build over 45,000 houses.
"Dow is an exemplary partner and we are grateful for this renewed commitment," said Jonathan Reckford, CEO of Habitat for Humanity International. "In addition to the products Dow provides to Habitat for housing in the U.S. and Canada, we are so pleased to have Dow employees partnering with us in Ethiopia, Nepal, Argentina and Colombia this year. By combining Dow's commitment to solving global challenges such as water and sanitation, Habitat's expertise in creating affordable and decent housing and the passionate support of volunteers, our partnership is able to create more sustainable, safer communities."
What began as a modest, employee-led grassroots effort in 1983 has grown into one of Dow's most significant service initiatives and one of Habitat's largest corporate relationships. Since then, Dow's financial commitment has grown to include providing energy-saving insulation products and significant volunteer support, including employee expertise in energy efficiency and conservation. As a key component of the Company's corporate citizenship strategy, Dow focuses on the development of sustainable housing to promote economic development, environmental stewardship, quality of life and social equality.