This gift provides expert training and support that helps families improve and strengthen their homes so they can withstand natural disasters such as storms, floods and earthquakes. This is a brand new gift for Oxfam Unwrapped, however Oxfam already knows how important it can be to help people strengthen their homes against disaster.

In Cambodia, small houses made of bamboo and thatch are the norm. Cambodia is prone to storms, and these houses are susceptible to damage by heavy rains, strong winds and flooding. Supporting columns and floorboards are often decayed, which can cause houses to collapse or partially collapse.

As poor people have little or no ability to raise the height of their houses, the floodwaters often reach the roofs of peoples homes. As a result people and their belongings are very vulnerable. In the severe floods of 2001 several children and babies were swept away when houses collapsed into the floodwater.

Oxfam has worked in a number of villages in Cambodia to help people make their homes flood resistant. Villagers explained to Oxfam staff that the provision of timber for home repairs was important in order to make their homes flood resistant. Oxfam worked with the most vulnerable members of the community to raise their homes above the flood lines using longer and stronger columns.

Once the houses were repaired the villagers felt secure and less anxious about losing their homes, belongings and children. Villagers received training and materials so that they are able to maintain their own homes.