Nguyen Thi Lan, 78, Vietnam

Photo: HelpAge International Nguyen Thi Lan, 78, lived with her 81-year-old husband in the same house for almost 60 years. But soon after typhoon Ketsana hit central Vietnam in September 2009, their lifelong home collapsed and they were left with nothing.

"Our house collapsed"

"It was around 6 o'clock in the evening when the water started to overflow the river banks. By midnight, the flood water reached the top of our door. We managed to collect some belongings and climbed up to the roof. Next morning, a military boat came to take us to the temporary shelter.

"When we came back the next day, our house had collapsed," Nguyen Thi Lan recalled.

Nguyen Thi Lan and her family received a shelter fund of US$560 from the Vietnamese government to help rebuild their house. They also received support from the local temple, including money, food, blankets, medicine and household supplies.

Rebuilding lives

As well as local support, she received an emergency cash grant from HelpAge International who provided US$28 for each older person in the area who was affected by the typhoon.

Nguyen Thi Lan continued: "We will use the cash grant to build a new house that is good and strong enough to resist another flood, so our house will not collapse again."

With support from family members, neighbours, the government and HelpAge, Nguyen Thi Lan has started to rebuild her house and her life.

"The rice planting season is coming in December. I hope I will be able to receive the next cash grant, so I can buy rice seeds, chickens, ducks, and cows to restart our family income."

HelpAge and its local partners plan to distribute emergency cash grants to 1,080 families affected by the Ketsana disaster.