UNICEF Houses – Haiti

SITUATION Local UN officials of Belladère, Haiti needed a product to help UNICEF build permanent and safe homes for children. These homes are two bedroom and one bathroom units, which needed to protect against future earthquakes and hurricanes.

ACTION Wellbilt International’s Sure-Board Wall Panel system was chosen. Sure-Board Wall Panels are composed of steel and various U.S . made cementicious or gypsum board composite materials, therefore impervious to termites and meeting non- combustible standards. Since the Sure-Board System has been tested and received the Miami-Dade Product Approval for uses in Florida’s high velocity hurricane zones an d California’s lateral force resistance for earthquakes, it was ideal for hurricane and earthquake resistant buildings in Haiti.

RESULTS Local UN officials were impressed with the speed of installation for the entire structures, which only took days with the help of local Haitian labor. Installation included the exterior load-bearing Sure-Board Wall Panels with pre-installed hurricane resistant windows and doors, pre-panelized interior wall framing, pre-panelized roof framing, Sure-Board roof sheathing and interior finishes with electrical and plumbing for future hook-up connections. “Sure-Board has been widely used throughout the U.S. for high shear and high impact,” stated Alina Van Katwyk, president of Wellbilt International. “Sure-Board Wall Panels are load bearing, lightweight and easy to install. The application in Haiti was ideal as Sure-Board combines resistance requirements of seismic, wind-shear and impact strength in the same product.” Proving to be a solution for the assistance in the rebuilding efforts in Haiti, Wellbilt’s Sure-Board Wall Panels are easily transported in containers. Safety and protection can be acquired for the Haitian population against future earthquakes and hurricanes for any buildings, including hospitals, schools and homes.