Hong Kong, China-On October 3rd, 2005, the Adventist Development and Relief Agency office in China (ADRA China) received the 2005 World Habitat Award, from the Building and Social Housing Foundation of Great Britain for providing practical and innovative solutions to current housing needs and problems.

Linda Zhu, program director for the Energy Efficient Straw Bale Housing Technology Transfer Project, in ADRA China and consulting architect Kelly Lerner received the award in Jakarta, Indonesia, on World Habitat Day,

ADRA China's Energy Efficient Housing Technology Transfer Program is an innovative project that utilizes straw to build energy efficient and
earthquake- resistant housing suited for cold climates.

Buildings made with bulk straw constructed into the walls reduce the amount of coal needed for heating during the winter, as well as carbon dioxide gases and air pollution by up to 70 percent when compared to traditional, non-insulated brick houses. Since 1998, ADRA has trained more than 400 construction workers, foreman, and architects and built over 600 residential houses and three schools in 59 communities in five provinces of Northeastern China.

"This project is garnering well-deserved attention due to its unique cross-cutting solutions to mitigating the global rise in CO2, local air pollution, and affordable housing for the poor,"
commented Arthur Schwarz, managing director for ADRA China.

ADRA is present in 125 countries, providing community development and emergency management without regard to political or religious association, age, or ethnicity.

Additional information about ADRA can be found at www.adra.org.