Issues

While Oxfam specializes in helping communities realize individualized solutions to their problems, our work takes on universal themes. From community to community and region to region, we see people facing like challenges—and pursuing like solutions to their needs.

Current issues

Community finance

Community finance

Having a safe place to save or access to a small loan can help a family work its way out of poverty. Oxfam America has pioneered a microfinance model called Saving for Change, which self-replicates on a large scale and at a low cost.

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Private sector engagement

Private sector engagement

A growing portion of Oxfam America's work involves collaboration with new allies, including strategic engagement with the private sector.

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Disasters & conflicts

Disasters & conflicts

Our mission is to do whatever we can to reduce suffering and save lives during emergencies—whether they are caused by conflict or by natural events. We partner with local groups in a network that stretches around the world.

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Hunger & food security

Hunger & food security

Worldwide, nearly one in seven people now suffers from chronic hunger. Oxfam is working on solutions to ensure that no one, no matter where he or she lives, has to go to sleep hungry.

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Oil, gas & mining

Oil, gas & mining

Oxfam seeks fair government policies and corporate practices in the oil, gas, and mining industries, and supports the right of communities to participate in decisions about the use of natural resources.

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Insurance and rural resilience

Insurance and rural resilience

With financial tools, such as insurance, farmers can improve their well-being.

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Workers' rights

Workers' rights

Farm workers in the US are often subjected to mistreatment and exploitation. Oxfam seeks to expose sweatshop conditions and human rights violations in America's fields.

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Water

Water

More than one billion people lack access to a safe water supply, and that number is growing. As water supplies are threatened, rural communities are most affected—and have the most to lose.

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Equality for women

Equality for women

Seventy percent of those living below the poverty line are women. Oxfam helps women and girls overcome gender discrimination, realize their potential, and become decision-makers and leaders in their communities.

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Trade

Trade

Trade can reduce poverty, but only if the rules benefit poor people and developing countries. Oxfam is working to influence trade agreements and investment rules so that they address the asymmetries between rich and poor countries.

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Access to medicines

Access to medicines

The poorest people often find vital drugs priced out of reach—despite promises from the WTO to make medicines affordable and available to all. Oxfam is asking governments and drug companies to make affordable medicine a reality.

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» More issues «

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All eyes are on the US as Arms Trade Treaty opens for signature

Feature Story

All eyes are on the US as Arms Trade Treaty opens for signature

The 154 countries that voted in favor of the treaty now need to step up and sign it.

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Laura Chavez inspires Guatemalan women to claim their rights

Feature Story

Laura Chavez inspires Guatemalan women to claim their rights

Laura Chavez is a leader to the women in her community, especially those suffering from gender-based violence.

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Syrian refugees: dreaming of home

Feature Story

Syrian refugees: dreaming of home

The Syria conflict has forced more than one million people to flee to neighboring countries. In Lebanon and Jordan, Oxfam has been providing essential aid.

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A woman in a man’s world: A Jordanian engineer brings her skills to the Syria crisis

Feature Story

A woman in a man’s world: A Jordanian engineer brings her skills to the Syria crisis

Farah Al-Basha helps keep clean water flowing in Zaatari refugee camp.

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Oxfam very concerned about violent acts in Guatemala

Feature Story

Oxfam very concerned about violent acts in Guatemala

Join Oxfam in demanding that the Guatemalan government protect the lives and rights of all its citizens.

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Screaming out loud: Syrian women tell stories of war and struggle

Feature Story

Screaming out loud: Syrian women tell stories of war and struggle

Citizen journalists elevate the voices of their refugee communities.

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