News & Media

Oxfam reaction to OECD preliminary data on aid spending in 2024

April 16, 2025

In response to the publication today of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development’s (OECD) preliminary data on Official Development Assistance (ODA) for 2024, Oxfam International’s Aid Policy Lead Salvatore Nocerino said:

“Today’s figures lay bare an ugly truth: even before this year’s devastating cuts to aid, rich countries had already begun to renege on their moral obligations to the world’s most vulnerable communities. Not only had they been reducing aid, but also spending a significant share of it within their own borders to cover refugee costs.

“Only a handful of countries, including Luxembourg, New Zealand, Spain and South Korea, maintained or increased their aid budgets in 2024, and are expected to do the same this year.”

“New Zealand’s good standing in these latest OECD figures owes a lot to to our climate finance commitments,” said Oxfam Aotearoa’s Clinate Justice Lead Nick Henry.

Henry continues, “New Zealand has taken a world leading approach by providing all our funding for climate action as grants rather than loans. But with the climate finance commitment running out at the end of this year, the government needs to renew this essential lifeline for our Pacific neighbours.”

Nocerino insists, “If governments keep slashing aid, more children will go to bed hungry, more people will die from diseases we’ve long known how to prevent, and millions more will be pushed even deeper into poverty.

“Governments must urgently reverse these cuts and start taxing the super-rich, whose wealth has grown unchecked. In a world as interconnected as ours, diseases and climate disasters know no borders. These cuts are reckless and short-sighted, and will drive us all towards greater harm.”

Notes to editors

The OECD’s preliminary data shows that ODA totalled $212 billion in 2024, a significant drop from $223 billion in 2023. Last year’s ODA fell $237 billion short of meeting the longstanding commitment of allocating 0.7 percent of gross national income (GNI) to aid for low- and middle-income countries. Oxfam has calculated that in the 54 years since this promise was made, rich countries have failed to deliver a total of $7.5 trillion in aid.

In 2024, 13.1 percent was spent on domestic refugee reception.

According to Forbes’ 39th Annual World’s Billionaire List published on 1 April, billionaires are worth a record $16.1 trillion, $2 trillion more than in 2024.

Contact information

Rachel Schaevitz at [email protected]

Sudan: Two years into the conflict, the world’s largest humanitarian crisis now threatens regional stability

April 15, 2025

Upcoming rains and aid cuts could further hamper humanitarian efforts and push millions of people to famine

As Sudan’s conflict enters its third year, massive displacement and fighting are spilling over into neighbouring countries, worsening the already catastrophic humanitarian crisis. The looming rainy season, combined with aid cuts by the US and other key donors, will severely hamper humanitarian efforts putting millions of lives at risk, a new Oxfam report warned today.

Sudan’s brutal conflict has created the world’s largest humanitarian crisis. More than 12.7 million people —nearly one-third of the population— have been forced to flee their homes, including 3.7 million to neighbouring countries. One in two Sudanese is hungry. Five areas in the country are already experiencing famine, and nearly eight million more people are at risk of starvation.

The upcoming rains could turn roads to mud, and trigger the collapse of vital bridges, cutting off entire areas and communities from essential aid and services. This period coincides with the annual lean season when food insecurity already peaks.

The Oxfam report –The Unravelling of the World’s Largest Humanitarian Disaster: From the Sahel to the Red Sea – published jointly with humanitarian organisations responding to the Sudan crisis, highlights the staggering human cost of the Sudan conflict. It warns that the crisis is now spilling over neighbouring South Sudan and Chad, where humanitarian needs are already dire.

Fati N’Zi-Hassane, Oxfam in Africa Director, said:

“We are already witnessing clashes between armed groups from South Sudan and Sudan. This volatile situation is simmering like a volcano ready to erupt any minute. Unless the fighting stops and the humanitarian crisis is addressed, the situation could quickly turn into a full-blown regional catastrophe.”

Two of the host countries, South Sudan and Chad, are already among the world’s poorest countries. They grapple with ongoing conflict, food insecurity, and climate shocks, leaving them ill-equipped to manage the crisis.

In South Sudan, the arrival of people fleeing Sudan’s conflict has put more pressure on already scarce resources, which is deepening local tensions and threatening the fragile peace South Sudan has struggled to maintain.

Nadia, a mother of five-year-old son Ismail who fled and is now sheltering in Renk, South Sudan, after soldiers killed her husband and two children says: “The war took everything. We left with nothing but the clothes on our backs. Here, we are safe from bullets, but there is no food, we are dying of hunger.”

The report also found that 17 million children in Sudan are out of school, while 65 percent of refugee children in Chad lack access to education — heightening risks of child labour, marriage, trafficking, and recruitment by armed groups.

For the first time in the history of modern humanitarian response, a single country –Sudan – reaches over 30 million people in need of humanitarian assistance. Yet, despite the rapidly worsening humanitarian crisis, international support is falling severely short. Only 10 percent of this year’s UN appeal for Sudan has been met to date.

The recent suspension of approximately $64 million USAID funding for Chad and South Sudan in 2025 has also dealt a severe blow to lifesaving efforts. In 2024, the U.S. was the largest donor to both countries.

“Turning a blind eye to this crisis would not only be a profound political and moral failure, but a failure of our core humanity. Without immediate injection of funds, millions of people will simply die of starvation or disease,” added N’Zi-Hassane.

The report urges all warring parties to halt fighting and prioritize diplomacy, in order to forge an immediate and lasting ceasefire.

Note to editors

Read “The Unravelling of the World’s Largest Humanitarian Disaster: From the Sahel to the Red Sea”. The report is jointly endorsed by Sudan and South Sudan Forum, Inter Agency Working group (IAWG) for East and central Africa and Forum des ONG en Afrique de l’Ouest et centrale (FONGI)
Oxfam is supporting 150,000 people fleeing the conflict to Renk, South Sudan, and has reached 94,562 refugees in the Eastern part of Chad with lifesaving clean water, hygiene facilities and cash.
Sudan currently accounts for 1 in 8 internally displaced persons (IDPs) worldwide and 1 in 13 refugees globally, making it the world’s largest displacement crisis.
Sudan war has left 4.8 million people across neighbouring countries (Egypt, Libya, South Sudan, Chad, Ethiopia and Uganda) in urgent need of humanitarian assistance. This is up from 1.8 million in mid-2023, more than the double.
Despite funding needs, only a third of the Regional Refugee Response Plan was met last year.
In South Sudan, the number of people needing assistance has more than doubled over the past decade—from 4.1 million in 2015 to 9 million in 2025 while in Chad, one in three people – about 7 million people need assistance in 2025.
The UN appeal for Sudan Humanitarian Response Plan for 2025 was US$ 434.5 million. Only 10 percent of this amount has been funded according to the UNOCHA Financial Tracking Service portal.
Approximately $64 million USAID funding for Chad and South Sudan in 2025 has been cut. Source: The Center for Global Development.
In December 2024, the Famine Review Committee (FRC) classified a Famine (IPC Phase 5) in five areas in Sudan: Zamzam, Abu Shouk and Al Salam camps in Al Fasher locality and in the Western Nuba Mountains. It also projected that Famine would expand to five additional areas by May 2025.

CONTACT

Spokespeople are available for interviews. For more information, contact:

Rachel Schaevitz at [email protected]

Sudan crisis, two years on

April 15, 2025

Myanmar earthquake: Risk of waterborne disease outbreak amidst devastation compounded by weekend heavy rains

April 8, 2025

Heavy rains that struck Mandalay and Sagaing – the epicenter of the recent earthquake in Myanmar – at the weekend have further complicated the humanitarian situation. The existing lack of sanitation and clean water is now increasing the risk of waterborne diseases, said Oxfam today.

Rajan Khosla, Oxfam in Myanmar Country Director, said:

“The recent heavy rains have added to the challenges faced by the survivors of this earthquake, further affecting those who are already struggling. Hundreds of thousands of people are seeking shelter in temporary accommodations or in open areas, with limited access to clean water and proper sanitation.”

The destruction of roads and bridges, together with the disruption in telecommunications have already slowed rescue and relief operations over the past week. Millions of people in hardest-hit areas remain with limited access to electricity, clean water and sanitation, and essential services.

The 7.7-magnitude quake – the worst to hit Myanmar in decades – has left a trail of devastation, particularly in the regions of Mandalay, Sagaing, parts of Shan, and Nay Pyi Taw.

The UN has estimated that the earthquake has affected more than 17 million people across 57 of the country’s 330 townships. Over 3,400 people have been announced dead and thousands more injured, and the number is still rising.

Oxfam’s team was among the first to reach the hardest-hit areas, providing lifesaving supplies to prevent the outbreak of disease, particularly acute watery diarrhea. Together with our partners, Oxfam is providing people in shelters with lifesaving water, sanitation and hygiene kits, blankets, mosquito nets and other essential supplies.

Oxfam’s Water, Sanitation and Hygiene expert in Mandalay, said:

“Heavy rains flooded drains, polluting the environment and increasing public health risks including diarrhoea due to flies and insects. Many camps lack proper latrines, forcing people to dispose of human waste without adequate sanitation.” He added, “there are significant hygiene challenges for the camp population, as food is cooked outdoors, making it difficult to prepare meals after rain. This increases the risk of contamination and the spread of diseases.”

Myanmar was already reeling from a severe humanitarian crisis, with almost 20 million people – a third of the population –needing humanitarian assistance. The situation is now catastrophic. But despite the scale of need, the country remains one of the world’s most underfunded humanitarian crises. Less than 40 percent of the UN Humanitarian appeal for Myanmar was met last year.

Rajan said: “This tragedy underscores the need for a coordinated international response and significant support to help Myanmar recover and rebuild. The road to recovery is long, and every contribution can make a significant difference in the lives of those impacted by this devastating earthquake,”

Oxfam is scaling up its response to reach the most vulnerable groups in hardest hit areas, particularly women, children, and people with disability.

//END

Notes to editors

Oxfam in Myanmar has been working to support communities in Myanmar since 2008, following the devastating Cyclone Nargis in the Delta region. Since then, we have expanded our programmes with the aim of reducing poverty and suffering in Myanmar, working closely with communities and local partners.
Immediately after the earthquake, Oxfam has mobilized to deliver urgent relief to the hardest hit areas. Together with our partners, our teams have reached thousands of people, particularly in Mandalay and Sagaing, with hygiene and dignity kits, as well as, cooked food, water, mosquito nets and blankets.

Contact information

Rachel Schaevitz at [email protected]

Yemen faces economic freefall and devastating aid crisis after a decade of conflict

March 28, 2025

A decade after a Saudi-led coalition intervened to restore the internationally recognized government of Yemen to power, the country remains deeply divided, facing economic freefall and a devastating humanitarian crisis, Oxfam said today.

Competing financial policies in the North and the South have caused economic collapse. Violations of human rights, the detention of humanitarian workers, and unacceptable conditions on aid imposed by the authorities in Sana’a have exacerbated suffering.

In the South, despite strong international support, the internationally recognized government has failed to provide basic services or stabilise the currency. Over the last 10 years, the Yemeni rial has depreciated by more than 90 per cent in government-controlled areas – pushing basics like food, water, and health care out of reach for most Yemenis. This inflation is only worsening – the rial lost 30 per cent of its value in February alone.

In the North, the Houthis have made it increasingly difficult and dangerous for the humanitarian community to operate and provide vital food, cash and other assistance. Their arbitrary and unlawful detention of Yemeni humanitarian workers and members of civil society has worsened the already difficult operating environment. Authorities should release all unlawfully held detainees, including Oxfam staff.

The environment of restriction and fear imposed by the Houthis, coupled with the US government’s freeze of foreign assistance funding and imposition of heightened legal risks, have caused many humanitarian organisations to wind down their operations, leaving millions of people without the means to survive and without access to education and health services. Families are facing higher prices and reduced humanitarian assistance.

Pauline Chetcuti, Oxfam International’s Head of Humanitarian Advocacy and Campaigns said:

“Yemenis deserve – and have the right – to live in safety, have access to food, water, health care and to lead on a path towards a peaceful future.

“The last decade has been devastating for Yemenis, and we’ll only see these deadly consequences compounded without urgent action from authorities and the international community to allow the economy and the aid community to operate.”

Education and healthcare services have been decimated, leaving millions without critically needed support, and civil servants without salaries. Health facilities across the country have been significantly impacted by the conflict; just 40 per cent are now only partially functioning or completely out of service due to shortages of staff, funds, electricity, medicines, and equipment.

The war has destroyed much of Yemen’s critical infrastructure – the roads, bridges, markets, hospitals, schools, and private factories that powered Yemen’s economy. Though the frontlines have largely been frozen since the ceasefire in April 2022, competing monetary policies and the absence of a full political settlement have left more than 17 million people – nearly half of Yemen’s population – food insecure.

Yemeni families are facing higher prices and reduced humanitarian assistance stemming from the US government’s designation of the Houthis as a Foreign Terrorist Organization. The designation creates significant obstacles to life-saving humanitarian assistance and commercial imports of food and medicine. It also adds a barrier to the vital flow of remittances from Yemenis abroad to their families, which account for approximately a fifth of Yemen’s GDP; a vital part of Yemen’s social safety net. Yemenis need to see an end to the Houthis’ rights violations and international attacks, but this designation is unlikely to make that happen. Governments should support international accountability mechanisms for all parties to the conflict – and not penalise Yemeni families by cutting off lifesaving aid.

The decade of conflict has killed over 19,000 people and displaced nearly five million people, disproportionately women and children. These figures will only grow as more legal and security barriers are placed on the economy and the aid community.

Chetcuti said: “Regional and global powers should collaborate to support a genuine peace instead of supporting aligned factions and furthering their narrow political interests. Only through a Yemeni-led political process that includes women, youth, and civil society can Yemenis emerge from crisis and enjoy basic peace and security.”

Notes to editors

Figures from Relief Web and UN.
The number of people estimated to experience food insecurity and malnutrition is expected to rise far beyond the figure listed above (17 million) due to global cuts to aid funding.
The 26 March 2015, is generally considered the start date of the international dimension of the conflict in Yemen with the start of airstrikes by the Saudi-led-coalition and reciprocated fighting by all parties, though it’s acknowledged the internal conflict started much earlier.
US is responsible for half of humanitarian programmes in Yemen which have stopped overnight, and the UK will taper its aid over a two-year period, with potential effects on humanitarian programming in Yemen.

Contact information

Rachel Scahevitz – [email protected]

Humanitarian operations in Gaza severely hampered; famine risks increasing

March 25, 2025

Restoring ceasefire deal vital as death toll hits 50,000 and continues to rise amid Israeli airstrikes, aid and power blockades and renewed mass forced displacements

Oxfam and partners’ operations have been severely hampered as Israel’s renewed military assault and ground offensive on Gaza continues into its 7th day.

Oxfam is calling for a renewed ceasefire and for Israel to lift its 23-day siege which is again blocking aid supplies and increasing famine risks for desperate civilians. Israel imposed a complete blockade 23 days ago and cut off electricity to Gaza a few days later.

Israeli authorities are denying entry to trucks loaded with 63,000 metric tons of food for 1.1 million people. Operations have been forced to stop in vital areas such as food security and livelihood, as well as hygiene promotion, and essential repair work to damaged water infrastructure.

Bushra Khalidi, Oxfam’s OPT Policy Lead, said:

“During the 42-day ceasefire families in Gaza could finally fall asleep knowing their loved ones would still be beside them when they woke up. Even though aid that entered was not enough—far from enough—it was something. The price of food stabilized. Supermarkets reopened. Bakeries began running again. Many people even went to their homes or what was left of it, and tried to repair and rebuild, however little they could.”

Humanitarian agencies were able to mount operations that saw an average of more than 4,000 trucks per week entering Gaza despite Israeli authorities initially only partially opening the crossings and denying much of the urgently needed reconstruction materials. Oxfam reached almost 200,000 people with essential relief.

Israel’s renewed bombardment of residential areas, including Jabalia and Khan Younis, has killed almost 700 people, including at least 200 children since March 18. Israeli authorities have issued new mass forced displacement orders, forcing around 120,000 Palestinians to flee. These orders are causing panic and chaos in the absence of anywhere safe in Gaza.

Oxfam says humanitarian operations have been gravely hindered by the absence of guarantees of safety for aid workers moving around Gaza.

Oxfam and its partners say their storage facilities containing food parcels are severely depleted. Israeli authorities have denied access to Oxfam shipments of six desalination units and seven trucks of water and sanitation infrastructure, up to 85% of which has been destroyed by Israel’s bombing campaign.

“Oxfam, through its partners has been able to initiate emergency water trucking across the Gaza Strip, and are maintaining some other aid programs, such as multi-purpose cash transfers, despite the severe challenges that all humanitarian workers now face around lack of protection,” said Khalidi.

“For the past 535 days, Israel has been systematically weaponizing life-saving aid, inflicting collective punishment upon the population of Gaza. The denial of food, water, fuel and electricity is a war crime and a crime against humanity. Many within the international community are enabling this by their silence, inaction and complicity.”

Oxfam’s health partner in Gaza, Juzoor for Health and Social Development, had its center in Jabalia destroyed in an airstrike on March 18. It had been serving over 1,000 patients daily. Dr Umaiyeh Khammash, Director of Juzoor, said: “Every airstrike that hits, threatens the lives and safety of our dedicated staff and the patients they serve. This center is not just a building; it’s the heartbeat of healthcare for countless families here. Without it, many will lose access to crucial medical care.”

In another attack yesterday (March 23), three sewage operators from the Abasan Al Kabira municipality working with Oxfam’s partner Coastal Municipalities Water Utility (CMWU) were killed while performing their duties when their clearly- marked truck was destroyed in an attack by Israeli military.

A renewed ceasefire must be permanent and accompanied by the safe return of Israeli hostages and illegally detained Palestinian prisoners. Israel must provide unfettered aid at scale. Oxfam said governments must stop transferring arms, while the international community must enforce international law. We reiterate our call for justice and accountability for all those affected.

Notes to editors

Oxfam works with 19 partner organizations in the Gaza Strip. Between 20 January and 28 February 2025, Oxfam reached a total of 181,622 people across the Gaza Strip with water and sanitation services, including repair and reconstruction, protection, multipurpose cash assistance, distribution of food parcels and essential agricultural inputs for recovery, protection, health care and case management.
Since Israel’s breach of the ceasefire and airstrikes on Gaza on 18 March, Oxfam staff movements have been severely restricted in the absence of a notification system. This week, Oxfam’s progammes in Gaza, including those of many partners, have been severely impacted. Oxfam is still able to undertake some water trucking and multipurpose cash distribution, but under high-risk conditions
The fatality rate in Gaza is based on the Palestinian Ministry of Health reporting on 24 March (11AM) and the fatality rate of children is reported by UNICEF on 21 March
Since 2 March, Israeli authorities have re-imposed a total siege, blockading the entire Gaza Strip. It is banning the entry of any humanitarian basic supplies, including water, food, medical supplies and fuel, as well as banning any commercial supplies to enter Gaza.
On 10 March, Israeli authorities cut off electricity supply to the only operational large-scale desalination plant for drinking water. With the exception of that last remaining, intermittent electricity feed to the desalination plant, Gaza has been under an electricity blackout since 11 October 2023.
The current siege is one week longer than in 2023, when the Israeli authorities imposed a total siege that lasted from 7-21 October 2023.
According to the IPC Special Snapshot – September 2024 – April 2025, the risk of Famine between November 2024 and April 2025 persists as long as conflict continues, and humanitarian access is restricted
According to the Palestinian Water Authority, 85% of the water and sanitation infrastructure in Gaza is destroyed as a result of Israel’s bombing campaign.
The UN reported that during the 42-day ceasefire period, a total of 4,000 trucks per week travelled into Gaza, 600,000 people received polio vaccinations and maternity care was provided for 5,000 births.
Satellite images of the Gaza displacement orders, on 18 March, covers an area amounting to 37% of Gaza’s land and double the size of the original buffer zone. This has been reported by Sky News and the figures have been confirmed by the UN. The UN reported on 21 March that more than 120,000 people had fled since the evacuation orders were issued on 18 March.
Denial of Aid – breaches Customary IHL Rule 55; 1977 Additional Protocol II Arts 69-71 and 81; Fourth Geneva Convention 1949, Arts 23,55-63 and 108-111; Rome Statute ICC, Crime Against Humanity of Extermination, Art 7 1(b) “Extermination” includes the intentional infliction of conditions of life, inter alia the deprivation of access to food and medicine, calculated to bring about the destruction of part of a population.OCHA / WFP food insecurity data, released every tuesday (18 Mar 2025): Most recent OCHA sitrep (18 Mar 2025):
Between 10 and 20 per cent of 4,500 surveyed pregnant and breastfeeding women are malnourished, a recent analysis by the Nutrition Cluster reveals.
To cope with shortages, the Food Security Sector (FSS) partners are drastically reducing food assistance to families, suspending flour distribution to families to prioritize supplies for bakeries, pausing the distribution of fresh produce, and scaling down hot meal preparations at some community kitchens.
FSS warns that over one million people risk being left without food parcels in March, and at least 80 of the 170 community kitchens may be forced to close in one to two weeks, if supplies, including cooking fuel, are not allowed into Gaza. The FSS estimates that more than 50,000 metric tons (MT) of food supplies are required monthly to assist everyone with full rations, in addition to 9,700 MT of flour needed monthly to keep the subsidized bakeries running.
Since the ceasefire took effect on 19 January, and as of 15 March, 4,646 children have enrolled in malnutrition treatment programmes, 672 of whom were diagnosed with severe acute malnutrition.
The Nutrition Cluster notes a decrease in monthly enrolments in such programmes from about 5,000 in the month prior to the ceasefire to a monthly average of 2,500 in Phase One of the ceasefire.
Nutrition Cluster partners observed a rising number of pregnant and breastfeeding women becoming malnourished – between 10 and 20 per cent,
11 March inter-agency mission to eastern Khan Younis found that agricultural facilities had been largely destroyed, including 1,400 dunums of open land,150 greenhouses, 90 poultry farms, and dozens of livestock and dairy cattle farms. The remaining cultivated land did not exceed 70-80 dunums.
Market survey carried out by WFP covering key developments during the first half of March (14th Mar published):
WFP currently has sufficient food stocks to support active kitchens and bakeries for up to one month, as well as ready-to-eat food parcels to support 550,000 people for two weeks.
WFP has approximately 63,000 metric tons of food destined for Gaza, stored or in transit in the region. This is equivalent to two to three months of distributions for 1.1 million people, pending authorization to enter Gaza.
Traders have begun withholding goods due to uncertainty over when new supplies will arrive.