Habitat for Humanity International supports efforts to improve the US government’s response to disasters in the US and around the world. In general, HFHI supports “community-based” disaster response policies that help people stay as close to possible their homes, families and communities in both the short term disaster response and in the long term disaster recovery. In addition, HFHI supports the core beliefs of the Sphere Project: Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards for Disaster Response. The Sphere Project, created by nongovernmental organizations working in disaster response, is based on two core beliefs: first, that all possible steps should be taken to alleviate human suffering arising out of calamity and conflict, and second, that those affected by disaster have a right to life with dignity and therefore a right to assistance. These beliefs are reflected in HFHI’s position on disaster relief policy. In the immediate term, HFHI supports the creation of a high-level federal advisory commission to study and prepare recommendations on US government disaster relief policies and the creation of high-level state advisory commissions in each state to prepare recommendations on state disaster relief policies. The federal advisory council will meet with representatives of each state advisory council to present recommendations on how to proceed with preparing for a disaster and to coordinate an overall set of recommendations that will include coordinating mechanisms as well as federal and state policy.