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Global food crisis

After years of remaining relatively stable, global food prices are being driven through the roof by a convergence of circumstances—including climate change, rising energy costs, and increased demand for biofuels.

Oxfam is factoring fluctuating food prices into the work we do at many different levels. In our humanitarian response we are already employing a broad range of tools adapted to local conditions.

Meet celebrity chef and Oxfam Ambassador Giada De Laurentiis.

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We can beat poverty and hunger—but we’ve got to ACT FAST. When you pledge to ACT FAST with Oxfam, you agree to do three things. Each step builds on the power of numbers: 1, 10, 100. And each person who takes the pledge brings us closer to our goal of beating poverty.
Tell Congress to co-sponsor the Lugar-Casey Global Food Security Act of 2009
We need to stand up for the millions of people around the world who face hunger on a daily basis.
Tell your representative to become a co-sponsor of the Initiating Foreign Assistance Reform Act of 2009 (HR 2139)
This is our best chance to improve the way we tackle global poverty. But the bill won't pass without broad Congressional support.
Host an Oxfam America Hunger Banquet® event
Raise awareness and help fund Oxfam's work by hosting a Hunger Banquet® in your community! Few experiences bring to life the inequalities in our world more powerfully than an Oxfam America Hunger Banquet® event. Organizers and participants alike can experience firsthand how our decisions affect others in the world.
Join Oxfam's Humanitarian Action Team
Join a core group dedicated to creating lasting change by influencing US legislation on humanitarian issues such as the crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the earthquake in China, and the global food crisis.
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OXFAMExchange Fall 2008
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OXFAMExchange Spring 2008
Raising a generation without fear
Oxfam at a glance: Saving lives
In an emergency, Oxfam’s objective is to save lives.
OXFAMExchange Fall 2007
Moving Toward Lasting Solutions in Gambia
Saving Lives
Disasters, and the way we respond to them, can be catalysts for social change—a chance to create lasting solutions to poverty and injustice.
Working together to end poverty and injustice
An overview of Oxfam America and our approach to poverty relief and lasting social change.
Oxfam in the Horn of Africa
Drought. Conflict. Low crop prices. These are among the realities that poor people across the Horn of Africa face on a daily basis. But with new tools for channeling water, building peace, and influencing markets, people are beginning to wrest control over their lives.
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Empty promises
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Investing in Poor Farmers Pays
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A Billion Hungry People
Governments and aid agencies must rise to the challenge
Double-Edged Prices
Lessons from the food price crisis: 10 actions developing countries should take
The Time is Now
Global food prices are up 83 per cent compared with three years ago. Around the world, Oxfam International and many of its partners have seen soaring prices force people to eat less food or less nutritious food and drive poor households to cut back on health care, education, and other necessities. In this report, Oxfam lays out a plan for short and long-term responses to the crisis.
Oxfam International Humanitarian Policy Notes
These policy notes describe key issues for humanitarian organizations in the twenty-first century and provide recommendations derived from our experience working in the field as well as in the policy arena.
Causing Hunger
An overview of the food crisis in Africa
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In harm's way: Oxfam America's game on rethinking natural disasters
Oxfam America Organizing Guide
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Oxfam America House Party Guide
Tools for hosting a high-impact event
Take Action: Global Food Crisis
Already 854 million people on our planet suffer from hunger. Now, as food prices climb high and fast, conditions are becoming worse and threatening the well-being of millions more people.
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ACT FAST with Oxfam
We can beat hunger and poverty -- but we've got to ACT FAST. Pledge to ACT FAST with Oxfam today and help us add 5,000 new people to the movement by November 30.
In the grip of drought
Ethiopians find ways to fight back
A tiny seed and a big idea
Insurance for Ethiopia's farmers
More water, more food
An improved irrigation channel in Ethiopia now delivers a steady supply of water to a small village called Shasha Korke.
A Seat at the Table
Step into the world where food is often scarce and difficult decisions have to be made every day.
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Food crisis in Guatemala

Food crisis in Guatemala

Oxfam and local partners help farmers cope with crop failures, food shortages.

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Weather insurance offers Ethiopian farmers hope—despite drought

Weather insurance offers Ethiopian farmers hope—despite drought

For the first time, poor farmers can now buy insurance for teff, a staple grain that feeds their families.

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Gebru Kahsay relies on rain but has the security of insurance

Gebru Kahsay relies on rain but has the security of insurance

If harvests fail because of poor rain, some teff farmers in Ethiopia now have a back-up plan.

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Food on the table and savings on hand

Food on the table and savings on hand

An innovative agriculture technique is producing 50-150 percent more rice and increasing the incomes of more than 80,000 people.

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Working harder, eating less

Working harder, eating less

Cambodia's people work more but eat less to cope with rising prices.

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As food prices rise, Oxfam programs help decrease worry

As food prices rise, Oxfam programs help decrease worry

Combining two different programs, farmers are learning to share information, save profits, and grow more rice.

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Foraging and fainting: coping with drought in Ethiopia

Foraging and fainting: coping with drought in Ethiopia

With nothing to eat, families wait for help.

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Haiti no longer grows much of its own rice

Haiti no longer grows much of its own rice

Once almost self-sufficient, Haiti now imports 80 percent of the rice it consumes. A dramatic cut in import tariffs led to a drop in national rice production.

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New irrigation channel changes lives in Shasha Korke

New irrigation channel changes lives in Shasha Korke

An improved system to share water helps Ethiopian farmers switch to growing fruit and vegetables, improving health and increasing incomes.

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