Koh Sneng commune, located along the Mekong River in Stung Treng province, frequently faces the devastating impacts of climate change—floods, storms, and droughts have become part of daily life.

In recent years, these disasters have disrupted thousands of livelihoods, particularly affecting women, whose voices often go unheard in decision-making processes.

Ms. Na Osa, 62, the first deputy of Koh Sneng commune council, is one of the few women in leadership striving to change that.

Despite holding a position as the commune’s disaster management focal point, she initially admitted, “Even now, I’m not clear what climate change truly means.”

Supported by My Village Organization (MVi) and Oxfam, Ms. Na Osa participated in a series of capacity-building workshops focused on disaster management, vulnerability risk assessment (VRA), and early warning systems (App 1294).

Equipped with new knowledge and tools, she actively engaged in community planning sessions, contributing to discussions that identified local climate challenges and adaptive responses.

Her involvement became instrumental in shifting local governance toward more inclusive, climate-informed decision-making. Ms. Na Osa’s transformation—from uncertainty to action—motivated others, especially women and youth, to join climate planning efforts and steward the commune’s natural resources more responsibly.

She passionately encourages community participation: “Even if some jobs don’t bring income, we must take ownership and care for our resources to reduce disaster risks.”

Today, her leadership symbolizes the growing recognition of women’s roles in climate resilience. By bridging community knowledge and institutional processes, Ms. Na Osa is helping build a more informed, adaptive, and united Koh Sneng—one that recognizes inclusion as essential to sustainability.

In Koh Sneang village, nestled within the broader Koh Sneang commune of Stung Treng province, climate change and disaster risks—floods, storms, and prolonged drought—have deeply impacted local communities.

Amid these challenges, 62-year-old Mrs. Ousa, a woman with a disability and member of the commune council, has emerged as a trailblazing leader in disaster risk management and climate change adaptation.

With limited prior knowledge of climate issues, Mrs. Ousa joined the Strengthening Community Resilience (SCR) project—an initiative supported by Oxfam and facilitated by My Village Organization (MVi).

The project provided her with technical training, workshops, and leadership development in disaster risk reduction (DRR) and early warning systems.

Reflecting on her journey, she shared, “Before, I didn’t know what climate change was—even though I was on the disaster management committee. Now, I lead sessions that help my community prepare.”

Empowered by this support, Mrs. Ousa organized community trainings on disaster preparedness, coordinated response plans, and became a key advocate for the 1294 early warning app.

By working closely with fellow council members and community groups, she ensured local residents—including women, people with disabilities, and other marginalized groups—could access timely information and build resilience.

Her commitment not only increased public awareness of climate risks but also brought greater visibility to the capacities of persons with disabilities in local leadership. Through her efforts, Koh Sneang has improved its responsiveness to climate threats, reinforcing the importance of inclusion in building community-wide resilience.

Mrs. Ousa’s transformation exemplifies the power of capacity building and inclusive engagement. Her leadership reinforces a vital message: when marginalized voices are equipped and empowered, they can lead their communities toward safer, more sustainable futures.