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Miyamoto is helping rebuild Nepal Earthquake and structural engineering firm, along with affiliated nonprofit, seek to enable Nepalese families to meet seismic construction standards with new constructions. By LIISA ANDREASSEN Correspondent

Most recently, a team flew to Nepal after earthquakes rocked the area in April. Thousands are homeless and afraid to return. Others remain in dangerous build- ings. Miyamoto is providing much needed technical advice to help people stay out of harm’s way. In the immediate aftermath of an international disas- ter, many large organizations often provide relief by supplying water, food, temporary shelter, and medical support. While this support is critical, Miyamoto pro- vides aid in the form of engineering and construction advice. Experts assess whether homes and buildings are safe to re-enter and help locals develop a plan for rebuilding to seismic standards that will withstand the next earthquake. When the earthquake hit Haiti, Miyamoto led a re- building effort that ultimately returned more than 12,000 families to their homes. “It’s our hope and mission that our presence in Nepal will ultimately help families return to safe homes and rebuild their lives,” Miyamoto says.

K it Miyamoto, Ph.D., CEO of Miyamoto Interna- tional Inc., a 200-person global earthquake and structural engineering company based on the West Coast, travels the world visiting natural disaster sites and earthquake-prone areas. As CEO, he is dedicated to making the world a better place. “Our responsibility as engineers is to make buildings safer by sharing what we know around the world.” DISASTER STRIKES…MIYAMOTO REACTS. Miyamoto Relief is a nonprofit organization that works globally to save lives through engineering, especially in places affect- ed by disaster. “One of the reasons we exist is to send teams of en- gineers to help affected populations after an earth- quake. This is particularly important in developing countries, where the lack of engineering knowledge is critical for the life safety of community,” Miyamoto says.

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