Twelve months on from the devastating 27 May earthquake and affected communities around the ancient Javanese city of Yogyakarta have taken important steps along the road to recovery.

The International Federation’s community-based early-recovery programme has supported tens of thousands of quake survivors to take control of their own recovery. With support from trained Red Cross volunteers and students from local universities, affected communities have managed and implemented the construction of more than 14,000 quake-resilient transitional shelters.

The earthquake-resilient shelters are made out of local materials such as bamboo and rope and cost the equivalent of around 185 Swiss francs ($150 USD/ €118). They can be constructed in four to five days and should last up to six years.

In addition to the shelters, the International Federation has also provided emergency relief, water and sanitation and medical assistance to almost 125,000 families across the devastated region.