VIETNAM. Quang Tri province. Hai Lang district. The central coastal province of Quang Tri is one of the most vulnerable to flooding in the whole of Vietnam, and Hai Lang district is the most vulnerable within the province. Climate change will bring an increased risk of disaster to Vietnam. Oxfam works in Hai Lang district, helping to train villagers to prepare for floods and storms, and how to adapt to changes.
Hoang Thi Lieu (37), daughter of Hoang Kha, with the rice cooker that she takes up to her raised platform when floods come to Trung Don, Hai Thanh commune.
"During floods I take my rice cooker up to the mezzanine, even though I can't use it as there is no electricity when the floods come. I need to keep it safe, and stop it from washing away. We are a poor family, this rice cooker is very precious to us, even though it may not be to people who are better off. I'd feel sad if it was washed away or broken. We'd have to use wood to cook, which takes more time.
"This flood destroyed the rice crop for everyone in the village, just a few people were able to harvest before the storm came." 2009.