The Oxfam Confederation has developed an “Improving Safeguarding and Culture Plan” to drive its work over the next two years. The Plan builds upon our ongoing work and is strengthened by the recommendations from both the Independent and Charity Commission reports. It aims to align our approach to safeguarding across Oxfam’s international confederation (i.e. 20 independent affiliate members, seven regional platforms, and 66 country teams). It links our work on safeguarding, culture change, gender, programs and Human Resources, within an improved governance framework.
News & Media
Gavi launches COVID vaccine initiative for developing countries
Responding to the launch of a new initiative to help developing countries access a coronavirus vaccine at the Global Vaccine Summit today, Oxfam’s Health Policy Manager, Anna Marriott, said:
“Gavi, and the governments behind it, recognise that high prices could prevent millions of people across the developing world being vaccinated against the coronavirus. Their response to this problem must avoid repeating the costly mistakes of the past, where they sought to subsidise the price charged by the pharmaceutical industry rather than seeking to bring them down, and ignored the needs of middle-income countries.
“Governments must stand up to wealthy pharmaceutical companies and insist that taxpayer’s money is only invested in vaccines that are patent free and available for all.”
Meet Nick and Renay – Mindful Travellers
Nick Potter and Renay Duncalfe, of Wellington have been driven by their strong values, supporting Oxfam Aotearoa since the early 2000s.
“We decided to support Oxfam because of the focus on the Pacific region…and because it campaigns to address the root causes of poverty (not just the symptoms). Oxfam is guided by good values, it delivers a high proportion of fundraising to humanitarian relief, and it’s a secular organisation working directly with communities.
“Travelling through places such as India and Nepal gave us a strong impression of how fortunate we are living in Aotearoa New Zealand. There is real poverty in our country too – but seeing the poverty that many people experience in the world, often with no safety nets in the form of government assistance, is a real heart-opener.
“We both want to give more than we take and leave the world in better shape through our presence and actions.
“We want any material wealth that we leave behind to be put to good use. We focused on charities that contribute to areas that we particularly care about: eradicating poverty, gender equity, caring for victims of violence, and environmental regeneration… All of that’s going to require compassionate action, generosity, and patient persistence.”
Oxfam Condemns Violence Against Protesters in the US
Oxfam New Zealand supports this statement from our US colleagues, and stands with those protesting institutionalised racism and injustice:
Oxfam condemned the excessive force used by police and military forces in cities across the United States against protesters, members of the media, and bystanders in recent days, as well as the violent rhetoric emanating from the White House. In response, Abby Maxman, President and CEO of Oxfam America, made the following statement:
“The freedom to assemble and protest is a cornerstone of our American democracy and fundamental to who we are as Americans. The streets of our cities are not warzones, and people on those streets are not combatants.
“Oxfam strongly believes in the power of people to make systemic change. We stand shoulder to shoulder with those who demand justice, accountability, and decisive action to end the institutionalised racism that persists in the US, and we loudly affirm that BLACK LIVES MATTER.
“As a rights-based organisation, Oxfam works every day to end the injustice of poverty and uphold the fundamental human rights of vulnerable people. As a humanitarian organisation working around the world, we have seen firsthand the devastating consequences of suppressing peaceful protest and the right to dissent.
“The US historically has championed democracy and human rights around the world, including the fundamental freedoms to participate, protest, and speak out, all of which are under attack today here at home. Rather than stand with the oppressed in the pursuit of a more perfect democracy, President Trump appears to be taking his cues from some of the very regimes the US has previously criticised.
“The sight of military vehicles on our streets and predator drones in our skies in response to peaceful protests is shocking and devastating. People of colour have shouldered the brunt of militarised over-policing for years, supported by the 1033 Program which allows the Pentagon to transfer weapons of war to the streets of cities and towns across our country. Around the world and here at home, the militarisation of police forces threatens the human rights of citizens to express dissent.
“We call on Congress to urgently end this problematic practice of transferring military equipment to police forces right now. We support the bipartisan efforts currently underway to urgently amend the National Defence Authorisation Act to end the 1033 Program under which those transfers take place.
“Today, and every other day, we stand with those demanding justice for George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Aubrey, and the countless other black people who were killed by a racist and broken American system. And we ask that all of us join in the movement to right the wrongs of discrimination and hate in our country.”
Oxfam Trailwalker announces new location for 100km charity walk in Taranaki
Oxfam has announced it will be moving its flagship fundraising event Oxfam Trailwalker to Taranaki, with the charity walk due to make its debut in the stunning New Plymouth region on March 20-21, 2021.
Throwing their weight behind Oxfam Trailwalker 2021 are some well-known figures including television personality Art Green, broadcaster Sacha McNeil, comedian Te Radar and mayor of Taranaki Neil Holdom, who have all lent their voices to encourage Kiwis to sign up for the challenge of their lives and stay active and connected with others while doing it.
Around a thousand Kiwis are expected to take part in New Zealand’s largest team endurance event, which sees teams of four tackle either 100 kilometres in 36 hours or 50 kilometres in 18 hours to raise vital funds for Oxfam’s work fighting injustice and poverty. Oxfam Trailwalker is aimed at people aged 18-80 at all fitness levels, with everyone from trail-walking novices to pro-athletes taking part each year. It is not a relay – the challenge is for the teams of four to start and finish together.
The event typically raises almost a million dollars each year to support projects in the Pacific and around the world. Now this will include providing life-saving support to those hit doubly hard by poverty and the coronavirus pandemic. The charity made the difficult but necessary decision to cancel the fifth and final event in Whakatāne this year for the safety of participants and communities.
Oxfam New Zealand’s Executive Director Rachael Le Mesurier said: “We are excited to be looking forward to our first year in the stunning Taranaki region, with its picturesque mounga, beautiful beaches and exquisite bush. What better backdrop for a life-changing, foot-slogging, team-bonding journey that not only will inspire you, but make a difference to people challenging injustice and poverty during a global pandemic.
“We invite the fitness buffs, the nature lovers walking for their mental health, the friends of all ages looking for a new adventure together – whatever your reason for walking, join us and walk tor a better world, for now and for our future generations. It is a great opportunity to lift your hopes and plans out of lockdown mode and start walking across our gorgeous whenua for a cause that reminds us that compassion knows no borders.
“As we all grapple with the effects of the pandemic on our families, communities here in Aotearoa and those we love overseas, it’s hard to imagine what life must be like for people in refugee camps or poor communities with limited healthcare and clean water and no chance of social distancing. You’ll be making a difference for people when it really counts.”
“We look forward to making this one of the best Oxfam Trailwalker events yet, together with the wonderful Taranaki hosts, the council, tangata whenua and local communities.”
Mayor of New Plymouth Neil Holdom said the event was an exciting boost to the region. “We’re absolutely thrilled to host the Oxfam Trailwalker challenge for the next three years,” he said. “It’s another major event in our beautiful region as we continue to build a lifestyle capital and it will be a superb showcase for our wonderful corner of Aotearoa. It’s perfect timing too as it will bring hundreds of much-needed visitors to our region as we all work to get back on our feet as the economic shock of Covid-19 bites.”
CEO of Venture Taranaki, Justine Gilliland said: “From mounga to moana, Taranaki has so much to offer. Oxfam Trailwalker will bring a significant boost to the Taranaki economy, providing many opportunities for local enterprises to capitalise on the influx of event participants, as well as their support crews. We look forward to welcoming you, and the entire Oxfam whānau to Taranaki next year – nau mai, haere mai!”
Registrations are now open for Oxfam Trailwalker 2021, which is due to be held over March 20-21 2021 for the very first time in the award-winning Taranaki region. Step up to this incredible team challenge and take advantage of the limited time launch entry price by registering at www.oxfamtrailwalker.org.nz.
New swarms of locusts threaten to increase hunger in East Africa reeling from floods and coronavirus
Flooding and Covid-19 restrictions create perfect conditions for locusts to multiply
Oxfam warned today that millions of people in East and Central Africa, already suffering due to flooding and the impact of coronavirus, are at risk of increased hunger and poverty as the region braces for the latest generation of locusts which are due to hatch in June – just when crops are to be harvested.
The highest rainfall in 40 years in parts of the region has caused severe flooding which has killed over 400 people, forced half a million people from their homes and destroyed crops and livelihoods.
The heavy rains, exacerbated by climate change, have also created the perfect conditions for the breeding of locusts, raising fears that the swarms could be 400 larger times
than the original swarms. The locust outbreak, already the biggest in 70 years, has decimated thousands of hectares of crops throughout larger swathes of the region, especially Kenya, Ethiopia and Somalia.
Restrictions imposed by governments to contain coronavirus are also hampering efforts to stop the spread of locusts. Stocks of pesticides are dwindling as border closures have strangled the supply chain and overnight curfews restrict the ability of pilots to spray insecticide in key breeding areas.
The floods and the new wave of locust infestation will lead to increased food shortages in a region where over 33 million people are already severely food insecure. At the same time, the economic fallout from governments’ efforts to contain the pandemic is likely to push millions of people further into poverty as there are little or no social safety
nets to protect them.
Lydia Zigomo, Oxfam’s Regional Director in the Horn, East and Central Africa said:
“The region is facing multiple concurrent crises – each compounding the other and making it more difficult to tackle and contain. Together they form a lethal combination that
threatens to increase hunger, poverty and suffering for millions of the most vulnerable people.
“In a grim coincidence, the recent rains have created the perfect breeding conditions for locusts while restrictions introduced to contain coronavirus have hampered efforts to control their spread.”
Last week, The World Bank announced $500 million in grants and low-interest loans to help countries in Africa and the Middle East combat the impact of locusts. Kenya and Uganda have received large loans from the International Monetary Fund to support their responses to Covid-19, including the expansion of social protection programs.
Oxfam is calling on more international donors to support governments in the region in providing immediate assistance, including increased cash grants, to help the poorest and most vulnerable people survive the multiple crises.
Zigomo said: “Cash grants and other forms of social protection can play a huge role in protecting vulnerable people, and they are a critical and urgent response to this triple crisis. Donors must support governments to expand their social protection systems.”
Somali farmer Frudusa Mali Muhamed living in Ethiopia, whose entire onion crop was devasted by locusts, said: “All my three hectares of onion are now gone. After the locust attack, the farm soon turned into a breeding ground for swarms that later killed all the onion buds and roots.”
Despite the lockdown restrictions, Frudusa has been forced to sell tea on the street to support her family and recover the money she lost.
Oxfam is working closely with local partners in Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, and Somalia, to provide cash assistance to more than 6000 households to buy food. Oxfam is also
distributing soap, hygiene kits and clean water to hospitals and communities. Oxfam staff have been increasing public awareness to help prevent the spread of coronavirus, including broadcasting messages in local languages with megaphones in rural villages.
To overcome some of the lockdown challenges, Oxfam is working with mobile phone operators to supply e-vouchers for soap and water through “water ATMs” – pre-paid machines that dispense water to the most vulnerable communities.
Oxfam also developed a mobile GPS app that allows community volunteers to record data on local locust infestations which are then shared with government response teams.
Oxfam is calling for almost $46 million to help almost three million people with lifesaving aid in the region.
Notes to Editors
- Oxfam is committed to supporting governments to scale up social protection systems and to ensuring support reaches those who most need it, in an inclusive, transparent, and accountable way.
- Currently, the Horn, East and Central Africa region has over 11,000 confirmed cases of Covid-19 and over 300 deaths, with the risk of this increasing as many countries in the region have poor health systems and are still planning to do mass testing.
- African economies will likely go to recession in 2020 with an expected loss of $157bn to $212 billion GDP loss in Africa as a result of COVID-19 according to the
African Development Bank (AfDB) President Akinwumi Adesina. So far, African countries have lost around $29 billion due to the coronavirus pandemic, according to UN estimates. This is the equivalent of Uganda’s entire Gross Domestic Product. - Over 33 million people in east and central Africa are currently severely food insecure and require food assistance. Of these, almost 17 million are in Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia and South Sudan.
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