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Planting the fetau tree

The fetau tree not only offers protection from cyclones, tsunami and rising tides, but harvesting its oil could offer a new income stream for local communities.

The amazing  fetau tree offers protection from cyclones, tsunami and rising tides, and harvesting its oil could offer a new income stream for local communities.

As part of its response to the tsunami that devastated the south coast of Samoa in September 2009, Oxfam and its partner, Women in Business Development Incorporated (WIBDI), are supporting a programme to plant fetau trees along the damaged coast of Samoa. Fetau trees act as a natural barrier against erosion, storm surges, cyclones and tsunami, helping reduce the vulnerability of coastal communities to any future disasters and protect them against the impacts of climate change.

As well as offering protection from the sea, this versatile tree could also help provide a new way of earning a living for local communities through harvesting its oil. Fetau oil is a key ingredient in some cosmetics and WIBDI are exploring the potential market for Samoan fetau oil. WIBDI currently support many families with a variety of income-generating activities including growing and selling organic vegetables and producing and selling organic coconut oil.

The tsunami that swept across Samoa in September 2009 may have washed away lives and villages, but just like the amazing fetau tree, the hope and resilience of the Samoan people remains strong.

• Oxfam's partner on the ground in Samoa, WIBDI

Buy a gift of a fetau tree on Oxfam Unwrapped

The fetau tree is so resilient that it can even withstand tsunami waves. When the Samoan tsunami hit, fetau trees often protected the people and the land behind them. With this gift you will plant more fetau trees to help protect the people and the pristine coastline of Samoa. A tree of life!

• Buy a gift of a fetau tree