Persons with disabilities, who rely on others for safety when storms arrive, are among the people most affected by disasters. Many experienced severe difficulties during the historic-level storms and floods in central Viet Nam in the fall of 2020, and even more so afterwards once the waters had receded. Many returned to find their houses collapsed or all their possessions swept away.

Like many other disadvantaged households in Hong Thuy commune, a coastal community in Quang Binh province’s Le Thuy district, Mr. Bui Quang Vinh and Ms. Truong Thi Thien often wished for a strong house so that they would be able to live into their old age in peace and safety, especially when the rainy season come.

“Each time the floods came, we received support from our neighbours and the local government to bring us to the evacuation centre, because our house was old, degraded, and would end up deep underwater every time,” Mr. Bui said.

Mr. Bui who was born in 1931, lives with his wife in the village of Thach Ha in Hong Thuy commune. Their six daughters are now all married and living with their own families, so currently only the two of them live together there, getting by on the social allowance of 270,000 VND per month from government support. “It is impossible for us to save enough money for a new house,” he told us. “We do not even have the money to repair our old house.”

The successive floods and storms in October 2020 caused considerable damage to their already run-down old house. Parts of the roof broke away, while the house itself was submerged for weeks, destroying most of their possessions and further weakening the building’s structural integrity. 

A crowdfunding programme piloted in Quang Binh province with support from World Share, UNDP, and the Quang Binh Department of Investment and Planning (DPI) is working to provide flood- and storm-resilient housing to families like Mr. Bui whose lives have been heavily affected by disasters.

In September 2021, the old couple’s new resilient house was completed. When asked about it, Mr. Bui smiled with delight. “We are very happy that the project has provided us with this house. It’s something we have dreamed of for a long time. With this house, we now feel happier and more secure, and we’re no longer afraid of storms or floods.”

“Both this year and in the disaster seasons ahead, if storms or floods happen, we will invite our neighbours to come and stay with us for safety,” he added. “Now that we have this new and strong house, we wish to live for longer.”

This crowdfunding programme helps to contribute to the greater long-term safety and resilience of vulnerable coastal communities like Thach Ha village. 39 poor and heavily-affected households have already received new resilient homes thanks to its efforts. The housing models, which were developed by an ongoing UNDP-government project on coastal resilience with financial support from the Green Climate Fund that aims to build 4,000 such homes for vulnerable families, have already proven that they are able to withstand record-level storms and floods such as those which occurred in the fall of 2020.

Mr. Hoang Duc Thien, deputy director of the Quang Binh DPI, said “Local authorities and beneficiaries are very happy. We highly appreciate the effectiveness of these flood-proof houses, especially for those who frequently suffer floods and live in areas with high disaster risk. This support helps people to have stable and resilient homes and raise their living standards, and it also contributes to eradicating hunger, reducing poverty, and especially proactively preventing disasters.”

"In the longer term, it's crucial not only to repair houses but also to construct new houses that are fully storm-resilient from the outset. When typhoons and floods strike, storm-resilient houses are vital, as they protect people, their property, and their assets. This is especially critical for poor and near-poor people, who rely on their property and assets to build back their lives and livelihoods faster. For this reason, storm-resilient houses should be an essential component of any poverty reduction program," highlighted Ms. Caitlin Wiesen, UNDP Resident Representative in Viet Nam.

“He has experienced a miracle, he has a new life, and he can pass on that love to others,” Mr. Dae Hoon, Country Director of World Share said.

“I am sure that 39 families have faced many difficulties for 1 year. From today, I hope that you will live with a more blessed hope. There will be more good things for you in the future. World Share and UNDP are planning to support 73 additional beneficiaries who are living in poor housing conditions as their houses were affected by storms and floods in 2020,” Mr. Dae Hoon added.