Cyclone Nargis hit the heart of Myanmar on Saturday morning, May 3, 2008. In the time since, officials are now reporting that the death toll is soaring over 43,000.

In the coming weeks, the media will focus its attention on the loss of life, and the millions displaced. If permitted to support the relief effort, large aid agencies will be knee deep in immediate delivery of aid. But how will the country respond the need for communities to rebuild?

We are reaching out to our community to raise funds to provide design services to communities affected by the disaster. We will be reaching out to and supporting architects who are have previously worked in Myanmar. This is a small start, but could affect tens of thousands of those displaced. We are also compiling a list of post-disaster projects. To contribute to this list, share your ideas on the Open Architecture Network or contact us.

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Appeal Update: $20,000 raised by over 240+ donors in the first 48 hours to support the rebuilding effort. Join them now.

"I decided I had enough. I closed the office, bought a motorcycle, and went into the desert to work with the people on their ideas and dreams" —Nader Khalili, 2005

One of the forefathers of the modern humanitarian design movement passed away on March 5th. Nader Khalili, an Iranian born architect, was the founder of the California Institute of Earth Art and Architecture. Khalili invented the Geltaftan Earth-and-Fire Building System and the Superadobe construction technique and revolutionize adobe building around the world. He won the Aga Khan Award in 2004. Part architect, part poet his great optimism embodied what it truly means to design for others. We were honored to interview him in Design Like You Give A Damn, and to include his work on the cover. He will be missed by all those who benefited from his work to create a more just and sustainable world and by all those he inspired. Our thoughts are with Iliona and the entire Khalili family.