News & Media

Epidemic risk rising as Rafah invasion compounds lethal cocktail of over-crowding, sewage and hunger

May 14, 2024

Israeli military attacks since October caused at least $210m worth of damage to Gaza’s water and sanitation infrastructure.

The destruction of critical water and sanitation infrastructure by the Israeli forces along with severe over-crowding, malnutrition and heat is pushing Gaza to the brink of a deadly epidemic outbreak, Oxfam warned today. The situation is further compounded by the Israeli invasion of Rafah which has forced over
350,000 people to flee to already overcrowded shelters and camps, and food and fuel are running out with the closure of border crossings.The international aid agency said at least five of its life-saving water and sanitation projects in the Gaza Strip had been severely damaged or destroyed in the Israeli attacks since 7 October. Oxfam staff in Gaza have described piles of human waste and rivers of sewage in the streets, which people are having to jump between. They also reported people having to drink dirty water and children being bitten by insects swarming around the sewage.

Conditions are ripe for the outbreak of epidemics including Hepatitis A and cholera, which thrive in overcrowded places lacking proper sanitation. Soaring temperatures are also increasing health risks. Oxfam’s Middle East Director, Sally Abi Khalil, said: “The situation is desperate, with so many people in Gaza living in fear and being forced to endure inhumane and unsanitary conditions caused by sustained Israeli bombardment. One colleague told me there was so much human waste in the streets, it literally smelt like disease. “Israel’s military assault on Rafah could be devastating, not only because of the risk of mass civilian casualties, but also the repercussions of vast numbers of people being forced to move. With the infrastructure already beyond breaking point, little or no healthcare available, and widespread malnutrition this could quickly escalate into a major epidemic.”

One of Oxfam’s partners in Gaza, Juzoor for Health and Social Development – which is operating in more than 50 shelters and numerous health points across North Gaza and serving hundreds of thousands of people – said they’ve seen a worrying rise in disease outbreaks. Celine Maayeh, Advocacy and Research Officer for Juzoor, said: “Unfortunately, all of our shelters lack proper sanitation and sewage systems, and just a few days ago we started hearing reports of areas in Gaza being infested with bugs and flies. Our health teams have been dealing with skin infections and cases of watery diarrhoea for months now; and we’ve recently detected thousands of cases of hepatitis A and other gastrointestinal and respiratory diseases. While we’ve managed to treat them, the rising temperatures and accumulating waste and sewage are creating the perfect recipe for a health catastrophe that our health teams alone cannot tackle.”

UNICEF analysis of satellite images found that in Gaza Governate 87 per cent of critical water and sanitation facilities have been destroyed or severely damaged. Across Gaza, at least five of Oxfam’s projects – three wells, a desalination plant and a sewage pumping station have been destroyed or severely damaged that served over 180,700 people a day. A further seven Oxfam water or sanitation projects are also believed to have sustained some degree of damage. Israeli airstrikes also destroyed the warehouse of one of Oxfam’s local suppliers with the loss of an estimated $60,000 worth of Oxfam latrine blocks – purpose-built toilet and shower facilities, which were due to help improve sanitary conditions for thousands of people.

Attacks which target civilian infrastructure are illegal under the Geneva Conventions. The extensive damage to water and sanitation infrastructure is one example of the Israeli military’s relentless assault on Gaza, which according to UN experts, may amount to breaches of International Humanitarian Law. The Coastal Municipalities Water Utility (CMWU), which is responsible for water and sanitation in Gaza and with whom Oxfam works, estimates the overall damage to Gaza’s water and sanitation infrastructure to be at least $210 million. This is based on assessments where their technical staff were able carry out field surveys and does not include damage in areas which cannot be reached due to the ongoing fighting or Israeli military restrictions. The estimate also does not account for all of the ‘unseen damage’ which is likely to have been caused by the Israeli military’s use of tanks, bombs and rockets.

Monther Shoblaq, CEO of CMWU said: “The entire water supply and sewage management systems are nearing total collapse because the damage is so extensive. There is no power to operate the water wells, desalination plants and the remaining wastewater treatment plants and the sewage is overflowing. We are doing all we can, but the situation is desperate.”

Despite the extremely hostile conditions, Oxfam and its local partners have been able to carry out quick fix repairs on some badly damaged water and wastewater pipelines in Rafah, Khan Younis and Deir Al-Balah governorates, providing 50,000 people with clean water and sanitation. In one area of Rafah, before the invasion, almost 200 metres of new pipelines were fitted. Oxfam and its partners have also installed five desalination units to provide clean
drinking water, and three more units have finally been given permission to enter Gaza, after long and repeated attempts. Life-saving water has been trucked to people in makeshift shelters in Rafah and Khan Younis and Oxfam is hoping to expand this to reach more people in the North.

To date, Oxfam’s work on water and sanitation has helped over 133,000 people and more funding is needed to continue.
Sally Abi Khalil, said: “The Israeli army has continued to destroy every aspect of life in Gaza through military attacks and siege, ruining what little civilian infrastructure remains and preventing humanitarian aid from getting in. We urgently need an immediate and permanent ceasefire to end the death and destruction, to allow more aid into Gaza and to ensure the release of the hostages and illegally detained Palestinian prisoners.”

Notes to editors:
• A UNOSAT satellite imagery analysis released in mid-January, carried out by UNICEF on behalf of the Water and Sanitation Cluster, shows that 87 per cent of WASH facilities in Gaza governorate were either destroyed or sustained some level of damage, according to OCHA.
• According to UNRWA, almost 360,000 people have fled Rafah since the first evacuation order a week ago.
• According to an assessment carried out by The Coastal Municipalities Water Utility – using field surveys and data collected from technical staff in 25 municipal areas who made a preliminary recording of visible and urgent damage in areas they have been able to access – the cost of repairs, as of April 2024, would be at least $210 million. Cost estimates may increase due un-seen damages under the mass debris.
• Juzoor’s teams of health professionals have been monitoring the situation in the North of Gaza and utilizing the WHO’s diagnosis kits and treatment protocols. Juzoor medical points have been able to successfully handle 99 percent of cases that present with recognizable
symptoms, ensuring optimal care. For severe cases, Juzoor refer individuals to secondary treatment facilities and arrange for hospital admission.

Oxfam Celebrates the Final Trailwalker event in New Zealand

May 8, 2024

Since 2006, over 21,000 New Zealanders have taken part in this incredible endurance team event while fundraising for Oxfam Aotearoa.

The final Trailwalker event was held at the end of March 2024 in New Plymouth, and successfully raised more than $505,000 NZD .

These vital funds support Oxfam’s work throughout the Pacific, including water projects in Papua New Guinea that help make sure girls can stay in school, and climate change adaptation projects in Solomon Islands that help support families whose homes and livelihoods are being destroyed by rising seas.

Ange Janse van Rensburg, Oxfam Aotearoa’s Head of Public Fundraising completed the 100km walk in 2015 and again in 2018. She said, “I have been privileged to walk and help deliver this iconic event and it is among some of the best things I have ever done. We are proud of this event’s achievement toward supporting communities and families in the Pacific and worldwide and are thankful to the incredible participants who made this happen.”

Some first-time walkers jumped at this last chance to be a part of this legendary event, while others who have done several Trailwalkers in the past, felt drawn to celebrate alongside so many volunteers and staff who have completed five, ten, even fifteen events over the years. The City Girls, a team of four women from Putāraru, Tīrau, Whitianga and Auckland walked in the first event in 2006, and completed the 25km distance this year. They estimate they have raised close to $50,000 for Oxfam over the years, and were honoured for their contributions at the final prize-giving ceremony.

Walkers in this final event said they felt proud to participate in the good work that Oxfam does around the world, “we’re a little tiny piece of that, but that’s good enough for us!”

While the event may be over, Oxfam’s incredible work throughout the Pacific continues. Anyone who would like to keep up with Oxfam’s updates is encouraged to visit https://www.oxfam.org.nz/newsletter-sign-up/

Oxfam Aotearoa’s Executive Director, Jason Myers, added “We are beyond grateful for Aotearoa’s support of this event over the past 18 years. This final event was an incredible celebration of all the hard work, dedication, and kilometres put in that has gotten us to where we are today.”

Oxfam reaction to attack on community center operated by Oxfam’s partner in Kharkiv

May 8, 2024

In reaction to Russia’s attack on a community centre operated by Oxfam’s partner “Peaceful Heaven of Kharkiv” yesterday, Nicola Bay, Oxfam’s Organisational Lead for Ukraine, said:

“We are appalled by this attack. Community hubs run by our partner have supported over 60,000 people in Kharkiv region – including women, children and elderly people– with food, water and safe heated spaces.

“Attacking civilian infrastructure, including those of civil society organisations that provide lifesaving assistance to people, is against international humanitarian law.

“Our teams and partners continue to work under extremely difficult conditions. Constant bombardments on our operations, mean cutting the lifeline of aid for thousands of people.

“Oxfam urges all warring parties to respect international humanitarian law, including ensuring the protection of civilians and aid workers.”

Notes to editors

Oxfam is responding to this humanitarian crisis by primarily working with local civil society organisations who are already supporting communities impacted by the war. In both Ukraine and in neighbouring countries, we have supported 40 organisations and reached over 2 million people since the war escalated in February 2022
As of February 2024, Peaceful Heaven of Kharkiv in partnership with Oxfam have reached over 61,000 individuals through their community hubs, based in multiple locations in the Kharkiv region, 71% were women and girls.
The community hub that was attacked was in city of Zolochiv, in the Kharkiv region.
Since Feb 2022, Peaceful Heaven of Kharkiv have prepared 2.6m hot meals and distributed 170,000 food sets for adults and 10,220 food sets for children

Global dividend payouts to shareholders rise 14 times faster than worker pay since 2020

May 1, 2024

Global dividend payouts to rich shareholders jumped by 45 percent in real terms between 2020 and 2023, while workers’ wages rose by just 3 percent.
The richest 1 percent, simply for owning stock, pocketed on average $9,000 a year in dividends in 2023 —it would take the average worker eight months of hard work to earn this much in wages.

Global dividend payments to shareholders grew 14 times faster than worker pay in 31 countries, which together account for 81 percent of global GDP, between 2020 and 2023, reveals Oxfam’s new analysis ahead of International Workers’ Day (May 1).

Global corporate dividends are on course to beat an all-time high of $1.66 trillion reached last year, according to the Janus Henderson Global Dividend Index, which covers the world’s largest 1,200 corporations, representing 90 percent of global dividends paid. Data for both dividends and wages for 2020-2023 are available for 31 countries, and Oxfam’s research shows:

After adjusting for inflation, global dividend payouts climbed by 45 percent ($195 billion) in 31 countries between 2020 and 2023, while wages grew by just 3 percent.
Excluding China, which accounts for most of this wage growth, global real wages in these countries fell by 3 percent during this period.

The trend of rising dividends has worrying effects on inequality. The ILO has recently warned that “income inequality has widened.”

Using data from Wealth-X, Oxfam estimates that the richest 1 percent, who now own 43 percent of all global financial assets, pocketed on average $9,000 in dividends in 2023. This is equivalent to eight months of hard work and wages for the average worker.

“Corporate profits and payouts to rich shareholders have gone into the stratosphere, while wages continue to go nowhere. Millions of people hold jobs that trap them in a cycle of working hard while still unable to afford enough food, medicine or other basics. The super-rich don’t amass their mega-fortunes by ‘working’ —they extract it from people who do,” said Oxfam International interim Executive Director Amitabh Behar.

Oxfam’s analysis of Global Living Wage Coalition (GLWC) data from countries across Africa, Asia and Latin America, found that:

Only 2 out of 37 countries have a minimum wage above the living wage —a pay rate the GLWC estimates allows workers to meet basic needs, such as housing, food, healthcare, clothing and transportation. Minimum wages on average provide just 38 percent of the wage needed for a living wage.
Bangladesh’s minimum wage provides a mere 6 percent of a living wage, and in Ghana it provides just 12 percent.

These findings reinforce warnings by the ILO of rising numbers of working people living in poverty ―skipping meals, getting into debt, and going without the basics. Using ILO data on in-work poverty, Oxfam found that:

Nearly 1 in 5 workers globally earns a wage below the $3.65 PPP poverty line.
66 percent of workers in low-income countries earn poverty wages —a level of pay that doesn’t clear the $3.65 PPP poverty line. This is a 1 percent increase since 2020, which marked the reversal of a long-term decline.
Afghanistan (22 percent) and Sri Lanka (9 percent) have seen some of the largest increases in in-work poverty at the $6.85 PPP poverty line

“No corporation should be shelling out to rich shareholders unless it’s paying a living wage to all its workers. Governments must cap payouts to shareholders, support trade unions and legislate for living wages. We should be rewarding work, not wealth,” said Behar.

Notes to editors

Download Oxfam’s methodology note.

May Day, celebrated by workers across the globe as International Workers’ Day, falls on May 1.

The Janus Henderson Global Dividend Index analyses the world’s largest 1,200 companies by market capitalization, representing 90 percent of global dividends paid. The next 1,800 only represent 10 percent, so due to their size, their effects on the results are negligible. Janus Henderson forecasts dividends will hit new record of $1.72 trillion in 2024.

According to the ILO, income inequality has widened.

Contact information

Rachel Schaevitz | [email protected] | +64 27 959 5555

Oxfam reaction to the Global Report on Food Crises 2024

April 25, 2024

Today’s “Global Report on Food Crises” (GRFC), led by the Food Security Information Network (FSIN), says that 281.6 million people across 59 countries are now experiencing acute hunger – 24 million additional people over last year.

Reacting to the report, Oxfam Global Food and Economic Security Lead, Emily Farr, said:

“The global hunger crisis is fundamentally a moral crisis. It is unforgivable that over 281 million people are suffering acute hunger while the world’s richest continue to make extraordinary profits, including the same aerospace and defence corporations helping to fuel conflict, the main-driver of hunger.

“The top 100 arms companies have hoarded nearly $600 billion in revenues just in 2022 – enough to cover the UN global humanitarian appeal almost 13 times.

“The number of people on the brink of famine has almost doubled since last year, the majority of whom are in Gaza where children are already dying of malnutrition and disease as a result of the Israeli government’s policy of using starvation as a weapon of war.

“We cannot drastically change course without a global awakening. States must prioritise justice and peace over politics, and radically reform global peace and security bodies to protect international law rather than perpetuate impunity.

“Governments must also rehaul our global food system, tax the rich to invest in the public majority – the small farmers, workers and vulnerable communities – and support green economies.”

Notes to the Editors

Read The Global Report for Food Crises (GRFC) 2024
The increase of 23.8 million people facing high levels of acute food insecurity (IPC3+) is partly due to greater analysis coverage and country inclusion (1.1 billion population in 2022 to 1.3 billion population in 2023). The net increase is 17.5 million people in IPC3 (see Technical Notes for comparability issues). Source: GRFC 2024.
Over 705 000 people in five countries were projected to be in Catastrophe (IPC/CH Phase 5) in 2023 – the highest number in GRFC reporting and almost double that of 2022. Source: GRFC 2024.
The Global Report on Food Crises is an annual report published by The Food Security Information Network and the 16 partner agencies of the Global Network Against Food Crises.
The top 100 arms-producing and military services companies have made a total revenue of $597 billion in 2022. Source: SPIRI 2023 The Global Appeal for Humanitarian Response in 2024 was $46 billion. Source: UNOCHA
The escalation of hostilities in Palestine (Gaza Strip) in late 2023 has created the most severe food crisis in IPC and GRFC history with the entire population of 2.2 million people facing high levels of acute food insecurity, and half of the population (about 1.1 million people) estimated to be experiencing catastrophic acute food insecurity (IPC Phase 5) Source: IPC report in December 2023 and March 2024.

Contact information

Rachel Schaevitz | [email protected] | +64 27 959 5555

Oxfam Aotearoa Launches HAMRIIK Project to Strengthen Climate Change Resilience in Rural Timor-Leste

April 20, 2024

Oxfam launched the new HAMRIIK project in Oé-Cusse, Timor-Leste in April 2024. The project, named after the Tetum word meaning ‘to stand,’ aims to bolster the climate change adaptation capacities of households and communities in rural Timor-Leste and effectively address the intersections between gender, disability, and climate change.

This $1.76 million NZD initiative is fully funded by the New Zealand Aid Programme, through their Climate Finance for Community Resilience programme which aims to enhance community resilience and adaptation to climate change across the Pacific and Asia.

“Oxfam Aotearoa is delighted to be further strengthening our relationship with Oxfam in TImor-Leste and local partners in the area through the launch of HAMRIIK,” said Jason Myers, Executive Director of Oxfam Aotearoa.

“By working at a household level, HAMRIIK will complement existing work we are partnering to deliver in Timor Leste that sits at the intersection of climate and gender justice,” he added.

This initiative targets vulnerable rural households in Oé-Cusse and Liquiçá, areas that are particularly susceptible to the impacts of climate change. Through a multifaceted approach, the project will:

Provide skills and materials to promote climate-smart agriculture and enhance water security.
Strengthen local partner organisations’ capacity to deliver climate change programmes that remove structural barriers and address injustices such as unequal rights between women and men.
Work with local authorities to incorporate equity considerations into climate adaptation planning and action

The project aims to directly engage with 652 women and 791 men, including 274 persons with disabilities, ultimately reaching a total of 7,800 individuals across 12 sucos (villages) in Oé-Cusse and Liquiçá municipalities.

“OXFAM’s HAMRIIK project aims to support these communities, especially women, in enhancing their resilience to climate change through collaboration with civil society organisations. This initiative seeks to empower rural communities, enabling them to influence and contribute to climate policies affecting their lives,” said Oxfam International Country Director for Timor-Leste, Mr. Fausto Belo Ximenes.

“I would like to thank the Government of New Zealand for its continued support to the Timorese people and the Government of Timor-Leste especially RAEOA authorities for their collaboration, as Oxfam reaffirms its commitment to fostering a just, sustainable, and inclusive Timor-Leste,” he added.

Through generating evidence and promoting inclusive practices, HAMRIIK seeks to equip decision-makers and civil society partners with the insights and skills needed to address the challenges of climate change adaptation in a way that effectively addresses gender justice, is inclusive of people with disabilities, and strengthens local partner capacity.

Contact information

Rachel Schaevitz | [email protected] | +64 27 959 5555