The majority of families in the Dong Thap and Tien Giang provinces in Southern Vietnam live at or below the poverty line in unsafe homes, in an area that is one of the most disaster-prone in the region. These provinces sit within the Mekong Delta, and are at risk from seasonal floods, mudslides and typhoons, causing loss of life and injury, damaging essential infrastructure and destroying livelihoods.

That's why Habitat for Humanity's disaster risk reduction program works in these provinces to help communities prepare for disaster and mitigate the impact when they strike.

Habitat for Humanity helps to build disaster resilient homes and provides community training. They also run a swimming program for school students to help save lives during the flood season and reduce instances of drownings in these riverside areas.

Megan Krolik, Habitat Australia's Regional Program Manager, recently visited the project and spoke to the students about the swimming lessons. They excitedly told her they feel much safer now that they know how to swim and are confident and happy in the water.

The students also took part Disaster Risk Reduction training so they can become more aware of the hazards in their community and how to stay safe during a disaster. Ngoe, 9 said "I learned when the water is fast and flowing, we don't go near the river as we may get washed away." Eight year-old Linh added, "When it rains we have to stop the water coming inside. We use a bucket to get the water out of the house."

Habitat for Humanity is supported by the Australian Government through the Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP).