Weathering the Change: How Street Vendors are Shaping Their Future in the Face of Climate Challenges in ASEAN

These three case studies have been developed as part of an Oxfam project titled ‘Improved Social Protection and Labor Rights for Women Workers in ASEAN’s Agri-Food Sector’, funded by DGD Belgium. StreetNet International, a long-time partner of Oxfam, has been instrumental in expanding social protection for street vendors in Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam. In 2024, StreetNet contracted three researchers from these countries to document the types of climate risks faced by street vendors, as well as the impacts of these risks on their businesses and health. This study aims to shed light on the climate challenges that street food vendors face, particularly the vulnerability of women vendors, and to propose solutions for enhancing their resilience.

Street food vendors in Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam play a critical role in the urban economy, providing affordable food options and serving as important sources of employment. However, climate change and extreme weather events pose significant challenges to their livelihoods, health, and well-being. This study explores the types of climate risks these vendors face and how they are coping with the growing unpredictability of weather patterns. By examining the situation in these three countries, we can identify similarities and differences in how climate risks affect street vendors, with a particular focus on the gendered impacts on women vendors. Furthermore, the study offers actionable recommendations to improve resilience and address the challenges faced by these vulnerable workers.

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