Media Releases

Debt relief for poor countries essential in global fight against coronavirus

April 16, 2020

Oxfam New Zealand is calling on the New Zealand government to free up spending for global public health, by advocating for the immediate cancellation of all external debt payments due to be made in 2020 by developing country governments.

Oxfam New Zealand’s Advocacy and Campaigns Director Joanna Spratt said: “Countries around the world need to massively scale up their health budgets to fight the coronavirus crisis. But the very poorest countries are due to spend US$40 billion on debt payments in 2020 alone.

“World leaders are meeting this week to talk about debt cancellation at the IMF and World Bank Spring Meetings. While the G20 have already agreed to a suspension, this only kicks the problem down the road. This moment of unprecedented need requires at least a cancellation of all debt payments owing this year, so that money can instead help save millions of lives.

“Many of our neighbours in the Pacific region are already at high risk of debt distress. Countries like Papua New Guinea, where they only have 14 ventilators for their eight million people, currently spend more on debt repayments than public health. Until we are all safe, no one is safe.”

“New Zealand can be an advocate for debt cancellation at the World Bank and IMF meetings – as an aid donor that doesn’t give loans, our position on this is strong. We have a responsibility to advocate for our neighbours facing this intolerable situation.”

Oxfam’s recent report Dignity Not Destitution highlights how the coronavirus and the disruption caused to the global economy could push up to half a billion more people into poverty. It also shows that 46 countries were spending on average four times more money on paying debts than they were on public health services at the beginning of this year, when the coronavirus was spreading.

“This pandemic will require a massive injection of resources to support economies, so it makes no sense for poorer countries to be transferring vital resources to the rich world. The costs of the debt burden are paid by the poorest people, in cuts to government services, and women are the hardest hit.”

Over 200 organisations, including Oxfam, have signed a statement calling for the cancellation of all debt payments due from developing countries to bilateral, multilateral and private creditors. In addition more than 750,000 people have signed a petition calling for urgent debt relief.

The international aid agency is also advocating for the New Zealand government to provide NZ$25 million in immediate, additional humanitarian funding as part of an emergency coronavirus response package for people living in the world’s worst crisis and emergency situations; and for the protecting and maintaining of existing aid and climate finance budgets so that fewer people are thrown into poverty by the global pandemic.

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For more information, please contact:
Kelsey-Rae Taylor on Kelsey-Rae.Taylor@oxfam.org.nz or +6421 298 5894.

Notes to editors:
Over 200 organisations, including Oxfam, have signed a statement calling for the cancellation of all debt payments due from developing countries to bilateral, multilateral and private creditors, and more than 750,000 people have signed a petition calling for urgent debt relief.

Oxfam’s recent report ‘Dignity Not Destitution’ calls for an ‘Economic Rescue Package for All’ to support poor countries in tackling the crisis and rebuild a more equal world. Debt relief, together with aid and tax policy, is on the front line of these global plans for public health and economic rescue.

President Trump seeking to withhold funding to the World Health Organization

April 15, 2020

Reaction to President Trump hold on WHO funding

In reaction to reports that President Trump is seeking to withhold funding to the World Health Organization, Abby Maxman, President and CEO of Oxfam America, made the following comment:

“Picking a fight with the World Health Organization during a pandemic is shortsighted to say the least. Instead of bringing us together through this global crisis, President Trump has attacked leaders and agencies around the world, seeking to deflect blame for his own administration’s failings.

“With this latest move to hold back funding from the WHO, President Trump is crippling any hopes for the responsible international cooperation and solidarity that is critical to save lives and restore the global economy.

“Withholding funding and blame-shifting means wasted time and needless death, misery, and poverty. And it gets the US and the world no closer to an end to this disaster.

“As we at Oxfam scale up efforts to respond to the crisis in more than 50 countries around the world, we see firsthand that strong coordination and funding is vital to save lives on the ground.

“No one individual, community, or country can deal with this crisis alone. We must work together, in our communities and across borders, with dignity and compassion. No one is safe until everyone is safe. President Trump must immediately reverse course and act like the global leader the world expects.”

G7 backs debt moratorium for poor countries, if G20 and Paris Club agree: Oxfam reaction

April 15, 2020

Responding to a joint statement on Tuesday by G7 Finance Ministers saying they stand ready to provide a time-bound suspension on bilateral debt service payments for all countries eligible for World Bank concessional financing if they are joined by all G20 members and as agreed with the Paris Club group of official creditors, Jaime Atienza, Oxfam International’s Debt Policy Lead, said:

“The G7’s statement is a welcome step, but this unprecedented crisis requires the G7, G20, IMF and World bank to go a lot further. Without urgent action to relieve developing countries of all their external debt payments this year, and ensure they don’t accrue into the future, the coronavirus could lead to millions of deaths and force half a billion more people around the world into poverty. Countries that were already on the verge of debt crisis before the coronavirus outbreak need urgent support and debt relief now more than ever”.

Oxfam showed today that the IMF’s gold holdings have increased in value by almost $20 billion since the start of the global pandemic (putting total holdings over $150 billion). The IMF should use the windfall profits from gold sales for debt cancellation to avert catastrophic loss of life in developing countries. Averaging across 46 countries, debt payments this year will be 400 percent of their health budgets.

Atienza added “We expect clear leadership and decisive action from the world’s top economies tomorrow at the G20 meeting, following France’s lead. They have the power and the means to cancel all developing country debt payments for 2020 and to ratify such a move for the IMF and World Bank. They can’t keep making excuses and hiding behind one another or the private sector. G20 leaders must be adamant that they will do whatever it takes to help developing countries free up funds in their fight against the coronavirus pandemic”.

Notes to editors

Over 200 organisations, including Oxfam, have signed a statement calling for the cancellation of all debt payments due from developing countries to bilateral, multilateral and private creditors, and more than 750,000 people have signed a petition calling for urgent debt relief.

Together with Oxfam, healthcare workers from around the world are calling in an open letter for all developing country debt payments for 2020 to be cancelled immediately to support doctors and nurses on the frontlines of the pandemic.

Oxfam’s proposed Global Public Health Plan and Emergency Response outlines key actions to increase the capacity of public health systems and cope with the economic cost of the coronavirus. In addition, Oxfam’s recent report ‘Dignity Not Destitution’ calls for an ‘Economic Rescue Package for All’ to support poor countries in tackling the crisis and rebuild a more equal world. Debt relief, together with aid and tax policy, is on the front line of these public health and economic rescue global plans.

First Coronavirus Case Confirmed In Yemen

April 12, 2020

Photo: Moeen Alzuriqi (Protection Officer) at hygiene kit distribution in Alkoba IDP Camp, Taiz, Yemen. Hygiene kit distribution activities conducted by staff from Oxfam’s Taiz office took place over 3 days from 24th March 2020.

As the first case of coronavirus is confirmed in Yemen, Muhsin Siddiquey, Oxfam in Yemen’s Country Director said:

“The first confirmed case of coronavirus in Yemen is a devastating blow to a country that is ill-equipped after five years of brutal conflict to contain its spread.

“Over 17 million people have no access to clean water. For a third of Yemenis who are living in crowded camps and shelters, social distancing and frequent handwashing are extremely difficult.

“Only half of Yemen’s health centres are functioning, and there are widespread shortages of medicine, equipment and medical staff.

“The spread of coronavirus just as aid to parts of the country is reduced could be catastrophic for millions of people already living on the brink.

“The ceasefire must be urgently agreed by all parties to allow full, safe humanitarian access to ensure Yemeni families have the best chance to contain the virus.”

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Notes to editors

Oxfam is responding to the threat of the coronavirus pandemic in Yemen by ramping up public health promotion and awareness-raising initiatives as well as through the distribution of hygiene kits throughout the country. Our team is responding by training community health volunteers to raise awareness of the virus and help prevent the spread of the virus.
USAID has already announced a suspension in aid assistance to the North of Yemen.

Half a billion people could be pushed into poverty by coronavirus, warns Oxfam

April 9, 2020

The economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic could push half a billion more people into poverty unless urgent action is taken to give real support to developing countries, said Oxfam today. The agency is calling on world leaders to agree an ‘Economic Rescue Package for All’ to keep poor countries and poor communities afloat, ahead of key meetings of the World Bank, International Monetary Fund (IMF) and G20 Finance Ministers’ next week.

Oxfam’s new report ‘Dignity Not Destitution’ presents fresh analysis which suggests between six and eight per cent of the global population could be forced into poverty as governments shut down entire economies to manage the spread of the virus. This could set back the fight against poverty by a decade, and as much as 30 years in some regions such as sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East and North Africa. Over half the global population could be living in poverty in the aftermath of the pandemic.

The analysis, published today, was conducted at Oxfam’s suggestion by researchers at King’s College London and the Australian National University.

An ‘Emergency Rescue Package for All’ would enable poor countries to support their people through actions such as cash grants to those who have lost their income, and could be paid for through a variety of measures, including the immediate cancellation of USD$1 trillion of developing country debt payments in 2020.

Rachael Le Mesurier, Executive Director of Oxfam New Zealand said: “Families across the world and here in New Zealand are feeling stressed and scared. What this coronavirus pandemic shows is how poverty and crisis compound each other. When you’re living in a refugee camp or squatter settlement in a poor country, you live hand-to-mouth. Your government can’t afford to provide social protection measures so when you lose your job, you’re on your own.

“This is the reality for many people across the world and in our neighbourhood. For example, almost half of Vanuatu’s economy is reliant on tourism and hospitality, which has now been obliterated by border restrictions to stop the coronavírus – many people have lost jobs.

“On top of this, now, thousands of people are crammed into evacuation centres following Category 5 tropical cyclone Harold. Houses have been flattened and livelihoods destroyed. With the economic slowdown from the coronavirus and now this, they’re facing twin disasters, and the risk that if coronavírus was in the country, it would spread like wildfire with people sheltering in close confines and water cut off in affected places.”

Jose Maria Vera, Oxfam International Interim Executive Director said:

“The devastating economic fallout of the pandemic is being felt across the globe. But for poor people in poor countries who are already struggling to survive there are almost no safety nets to stop them falling into poverty.”

Many wealthy nations have introduced multi-billion-dollar economic stimulus packages to support business and workers, but most developing nations lack the financial firepower to follow suit. The UN estimates that nearly half of all jobs in Africa could be lost. Micah Olywangu, a taxi driver and father of three from Nairobi, Kenya, who has not had a fare since the lockdown closed the airport, bars and restaurants, told Oxfam that “this virus will starve us before it makes us sick.”

Delivering the USD$2.5 trillion the UN estimates is needed to support developing countries through the pandemic would also require an additional USD$500 billion in overseas aid. This includes USD$160 billion which Oxfam estimates is needed to boost poor countries’ public health systems and USD$2 billion for the UN humanitarian fund.

“Governments must learn the lessons of the 2008 financial crisis where bailouts for banks and corporations were paid for by ordinary people as jobs were lost, wages flatlined and essential services such as healthcare cut to the bone. Economic stimulus packages must support ordinary workers and small businesses, and bail outs for big corporations must be conditional on action to build fairer, more sustainable economies,” added Veraa

Donate to our Covid-19 Emergency Response here.

Notes to editors

Oxfam is responding to TC Harold in Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands. The category 5 cyclone is the strongest storm to hit Vanuatu since Cyclone Pam in 2015.
The World Bank and IMF 2020 Spring meetings will take place virtually from 17-19 April. G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors will meet virtually on 15 April.
Download Dignity Not Destitution: An Economic Rescue Package for All.
In 2018 there were 3.4 billion people living on less than USD$5.5 per day according to the World Bank. Researchers used mathematical models to predict how many more people would fall below World Bank poverty lines of USD$1.90, USD$3.20 and USD$5.50 a day based on a 5, 10 and 20 percent drop in income. A 20 percent drop in income would mean an estimated 547.6 million more people living on less than USD$5.50 a day. Taking the range of estimates into account researchers predict a 6 – 8 percent rise in poverty compared to 2018 levels.
News outlets are reporting over 1 million garment workers in Bangladesh have lost their jobs as a result of orders being cancelled or suspended. The percentage of women working in the Garment industry in Bangladesh is from the World Bank.
Figures for Ghana from Diloá Jacob Bailey Athias of Development Pathways, based on UNDESA population figures.
Figures for Ethiopia from Development Finance International.
Oxfam is scaling up its cash transfer programming and food assistance in vulnerable communities across the globe —from poor urban settlements in Bangladesh to rural indigenous communities in Guatemala. Oxfam has been a leader in cash transfer programming for more than 20 years; in Yemen, we provide cash to families displaced by the conflict to buy food; in Colombia, we provide cash to Venezuelan migrants on the move; and in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which faced the world’s second largest Ebola epidemic in history, we distribute cash and vouchers to allow the most vulnerable households to buy food and basic necessities.
At Oxfam’s suggestion, researchers at Kings College London and the University of Australia calculated how many more people might be pushed into poverty by the global coronavirus crisis. The results of the analysis will be published in Oxfam’s briefing paper ‘Dignity not Destitution,’ on Thursday 9 April. A more detailed working paper on the analysis will also be published on the 9 April by the UN University World Institute for Development Economics Research.

For more information or to coordinate an interview, please contact Kelsey-Rae Taylor at Kelsey-Rae.Taylor@oxfam.org.nz or 021 298 5894.

Oxfam coordinates response to tropical cyclone Harold

April 6, 2020

Oxfam teams in the Pacific are working with partner agencies and governments in Vanuatu and Solomon Islands, to plan a response to Tropical Cyclone Harold.

The Category 5 cyclone, made landfall in Santo and Malo islands in Vanuatu’s northern Sanma Province this morning local time and the slow-moving storm is now moving into the Penama and Malampa Provinces. The three provinces have a population of 127,000 people, many of whom are considered high risk as their very livelihoods depend on their food and vegetable gardens.

Heavy rainfall and gale force winds are expected to cause damages to homes, buildings and flooding to low lying areas and river banks.

Oxfam in Vanuatu’s Country Director, Elizabeth Faerua reported that teams are on standby as the country braces for the impact of what is believed to be one of the worse storms since Tropical Cyclone Pam in 2015 devastated the country.

“There are reports of damaging gale force winds, heavy rainfall and flooding in low lying areas of Luganville, the second largest town in Vanuatu, and the power lines and communications lines in the north are currently down,” Mrs Faerua said.

“We are collaborating with our local partners and working with the National Disaster Management Office, Provincial Governments and Area Councils to respond accordingly.”

Oxfam will conduct a remote survey across all the provinces to better assess and identify a suitable response to support income and livelihoods of vulnerable households across Vanuatu.

Since Cyclone Harold’s departure from the Solomon Islands a day ago, the response in that country has been immediate, with local and international organisations responding to Government’s call for assistance.

This has been confirmed by Oxfam in Solomon Islands Country Director, Dolores Devesi, who has said our teams are already working along-side Government and sector committees in coordinating multi-agency assessments and responses.

The Oxfam Pacific team continues to engage at all levels; national and provincial governments, and with the communities, to coordinate thorough assessments on the ground, which will drive our response.