Press releases

New research examines whether biotechnology is relevant to poor farmers

jlee — 2010-03-18T21:28:26Z

Washington, DC – International humanitarian organization Oxfam America hosted a panel today discussing the continuing controversy over the potential impact of genetically modified (GM) crops in developing countries.

Despite its importance to two-thirds of the world’s population (and 80 percent of the population in Sub-Saharan Africa), agricultural development has experienced a systematic decline in funding over the past 40 years. However, the current state of global crisis has breathed new life into arguments to support agricultural development.

“Feeding the world with scarce resources in an environment increasingly affected by climate change is one of our most important global challenges. It must be addressed in a way that meets a second challenge – helping millions lift themselves out of poverty in the process of agricultural development,” said Kimberly Pfeifer, Head of Research at Oxfam America.

Today’s panel discussion focused on the findings of the recently released book, Biotechnology and Agricultural Development: Transgenic Cotton, Rural Institutions and Resource-Poor Farmers, edited by Robert Tripp, one of the panelists. The research, commissioned by Oxfam America, assesses the socioeconomic impacts of genetically modified, insect-resistant cotton – or transgenic cotton – by examining its use by smallholder farmers in four developing countries with years of experiences with GM technology: India, South Africa, China, and Colombia.

“Concerns from climate change to food and energy prices only serve to intensify the debate about the future of genetically modified crops, as well as the role of agricultural technology in poverty reduction. This book examines the experience of GM cotton in developing countries and draws lessons about the relevance of agricultural biotechnology for resource-poor farmers,” said Tripp.

The research shows that institutional investments in agriculture are more important and relevant for poor farmers than investment in biotechnology and challenges the claim that biotechnology can be the solution to agricultural development by examining the precarious institutional basis on which these hopes rest in most countries.

“Resource-poor farmers must make decisions about what to plant in order to make a sustainable livelihood to feed their families, send their children to school, afford healthcare, and maintain their access to land. Adequate access to information is key to these decision-making processes,” said Pfeifer.

Oxfam has worked with West African cotton farmers to highlight the injustices in the international trading system and to shift the balance of power in the cotton value chain toward cotton producers.

“We could not ignore the pressure that existed to establish biosafety regulations to pave the way for the commercial adoption of transgenic cotton. Providing advice in this area seemed a daunting task given the very limited availability of rigorous assessments of the impacts of adopting this new technology,” said Pfeifer.

The case studies provide accounts of resource-poor farmers’ experiences with transgenic cotton along with the national governments’ efforts to facilitate its adoption, examining what resource-poor farmers need in order to take advantage of and benefit from the adoption of this technology.

The studies revealed a need to devote more attention to the development of local institutions that support public and private capacity for technology generation, technology delivery through markets, extension, and regulations, and farmer capacity to demand services, participate in markets, and understand the technology they are using.

“An innovation such as a transgenic crop is not simply a technical solution, it is an intervention with social, economic, and political consequences. We risk the livelihoods of resource-poor farmers if we neglect the critical foundation of sound local institutions that put farmers at the center of such technological choices,” said Pfeifer.

Today’s panel discussion featured: Robert Tripp Ph.D., Lead Researcher and Editor of the book; Richard Oswald, President, Missouri Farmers Union; Larry Beach, Ph.D., Senior Biotechnology Advisor, USAID; Anuradha Mittal, Executive Director, The Oakland Institute; Mario Alejandro Rodriguez A., General Manager, C.I. Algodones de Colombia; Kimberly Pfeifer, Ph.D., Head of Research, Oxfam America.

For more information about the book, please visit: www.routledgeeconomics.com/books/Biotechnology-and-Agricultural-Development-isbn9780415543842.

Failed rains put 10 million people at risk of a food crisis across West Africa

llucas — 2010-03-17T15:27:10Z

Almost 10 million people across the Sahel region of West Africa are threatened with a severe food shortage, international aid agency Oxfam said today. The worst affected country is Niger where eight million people are at risk. Some two million people are threatened in Chad and a substantial number of people are expected to be affected in Mali in the coming months. Parts of Nigeria and Burkina Faso are also at risk.

The agency called upon developed countries to respond urgently to the early warning of impending disaster, citing delays during the Niger food crisis in 2005 that unnecessarily cost lives.

“We are witnessing an unfolding disaster which can be averted if the world acts swiftly. Five years ago the world ignored the warning signs from Niger, failed to act rapidly and lives were lost. The international community cannot make the same mistake and again condemn many children to an early death,” said Mamadou Biteye, Oxfam’s West Africa Regional Director.

Irregular rains in 2009 have led to a severe lack of pasture, water and a poor harvest. In Niger, the harvest has fallen by 26 percent as compared with the previous year, and some areas, especially the Diffa in the east of country and Tillabéry to the west, have had no harvest at all. In Chad, harvests have fallen by 34 percent. The areas of Hadjer Lamis, Batha, Kanem, Guera regions and eastern Chad are expected to be hit hard, especially from June 2010. Overall, the harvest in the Sahel has decreased by 9 percent with great disparities between East and West Sahel.

Prices of cereals are high and increasing. Millet and sorghum prices are up to respectively 25 and 50 percent higher than a year ago in Niger. Rains are not expected until June and prices are expected to increase until the next harvest in September without a substantial aid effort.

Pastoralists are especially vulnerable as they depend on animals for their food and income.

“With not enough fodder, herders are desperate to sell their animals, driving livestock prices lower and lower,” explains Hassane Baka, a representative of Oxfam’s partner AREN in Niger. “This means that for each animal sold on the market, pastoralists get less cereal with which to feed their families.”

Oxfam called on donors to respond to the government of Niger’s request for international humanitarian assistance. While the authorities have some food reserves, these are currently not sufficient. Up to $123 million was requested to fund the national response plan. The agency also called on donors to address increasing needs in Chad and Mali.

Oxfam also called on all countries in the region to keep their borders open. In 2005, the situation was made worse when neighboring countries closed their borders with Niger. This limited the availability of food and increased inflation. The agency also stressed the need for good coordination between governments, UN agencies, and local and international NGOs to ensure efficient aid delivery.

Oxfam, along with national and local partner organisations, have started emergency work in the most vulnerable regions in Niger, especially in the Maradi, Tahoua, Tillabéry and Zinder regions. They are distributing food and supplies to the poorest households and schoolchildren, protecting livestock and buying weak livestock from herders at above market levels.

Particularly important in the current crisis is the early warning system developed by Oxfam’s partners in Niger and broadcasted on rural radio networks. This gives cattle herders the information they need to act quickly.

In Chad, Oxfam is helping people in the Sila and Ouaddaï regions by distributing food and running agricultural and livestock support projects and will be sending assessment teams to the affected areas. In Mali, the agency will be distributing food and animal feed to 100,000 people.

The agency has worked in the Sahel region for decades, developing sustainable solutions to tackle the root causes of food shortages such as creating cereal and fodder banks, promoting income diversification as well as education and literacy.

White House report highlights the critical need for innovative solutions to climate impacts

jlee — 2010-03-17T13:24:49Z

Washington, DC – International humanitarian organization Oxfam America commended the White House today for announcing significant progress in its climate adaptation initiative, which brings to the fore the critical importance of resources for hard-hit communities in the United States and around the world to build resilience and adapt to the consequences of climate change.

“We commend the White House for releasing this progress report at a key moment in the climate debate. Climate change is already forcing vulnerable communities in poor countries to face unprecedented climate stress, including water scarcity and reduced food supplies. The poorest communities in the United States and around the world are often the most vulnerable to climate change and need support to build climate resilience. These communities have the knowledge and experience to craft their own innovative solutions, from early warning systems to coastal tree buffers, but they need support,” said Raymond C. Offenheiser, president of Oxfam America.

The Obama administration’s commitment to addressing climate adaptation and resilience is amply demonstrated by its wide-ranging engagement to develop effective strategies both domestically and internationally, involving more than 20 federal agencies. An effective and comprehensive response to climate change must address both the causes and the impacts of climate change. Even the most ambitious emissions reductions plans leave us with an increasingly variable and changed climate where livelihoods will depend on a range of resilience strategies – from better water supply management to new types of insurance.

“Reducing emissions is essential, but it won’t be enough. Even if the world stopped polluting today, we would still feel the effects of climate change for decades to come. And while all of us will be affected, those facing the most extreme risk are the poorest with the fewest resources to cope, despite contributing the least to the crisis,” said Offenheiser.

Tackling these challenges can also pay important dividends for global security and for our economy. Building resilience to climate impacts is essential to promoting stability in many already volatile regions of the world. For our economy, protecting vulnerable supply chains and bolstering investments in climate resilience technologies and services – from water technologies to coastal restoration – will be a boon for workers and businesses.

“We know proactive responses to climate impacts can yield enormous benefits for global security and for our economy. President Obama has already highlighted the importance of adaption by including funding in his FY 2011 budget proposal to begin fulfilling our international commitments and help spur global solutions to climate change.”

“We also look forward to working with the White House and Congress to ensure that climate change legislation supports meaningful resources and funding for adaptation for the most vulnerable communities that are on the front lines of climate change,” said Offenheiser.

Many countries failing test of political will to implement oil and mining industry anti-corruption initiative

jlee — 2010-03-08T21:22:14Z

Tuesday, March 9 marks the deadline for candidate countries to complete external “validation” of their implementation of the Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative (EITI), a voluntary initiative to increase transparent and accountable management of natural resource wealth. Of the 22 countries subject to the deadline, the fact that 20 have not completed validation will further test the credibility of the EITI process. While these countries are at various stages of implementation – some making laudable progress – many have shown a lack of political will to fully open their books on oil, gas, and mining payments in these countries, says international aid agency Oxfam.

With more than half of the world’s poorest people living in countries rich in natural resources, the problems associated with oil, gas, and mining booms – increased corruption, conflict, and environmental degradation – are pressing concerns for Oxfam and its partners around the world. Transparency of financial flows is an important condition needed to unlock billions of dollars in oil and mining revenues to help fight poverty.

“These industries generate billions of dollars per year in poor countries. The revenues amount to far more than official aid flows and could fund health, education, and other essential services, but are too often squandered or siphoned off by government officials,” said Raymond C. Offenheiser, president of Oxfam America. “The goal of EITI is to increase accountability and transparency in those countries where it is most needed. It’s disappointing that many countries haven’t yet cleared this hurdle, and it’s clear that other complementary measures focused on company and government disclosure are urgently needed.”

Only two countries – Liberia and Azerbaijan – met the deadline and were subsequently judged compliant by the EITI board. While several countries, such as Ghana, Nigeria, Mongolia, and Timor-Leste have completed draft validation reports, others, such as Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Equatorial Guinea, and Peru are further behind. According to EITI’s rules, countries that fail to meet the deadline will be “delisted” or dropped from EITI with the option to reapply for candidate status. Countries have been advised that they may apply for an extension if they provide evidence of “exceptional and unforeseen circumstances” outside the country’s control that prevented them from meeting the deadline.

“The validation deadline was an important test of political will for governments who say that they are implementing EITI. The EITI board must carry out a fair, transparent process for granting any possible extensions to ensure that the initiative maintains credibility. In addition, supporting countries such as Spain should more actively promote the implementation of EITI within their bilateral and multilateral relationships,” said Laura Ruiz Álvarez, extractive industries advocacy officer of Intermón – Oxfam Spain.

A lack of transparency in the oil, gas, and mining sectors – including secret payments, contracts, and opaque government budgets – is a major contributor to the problems in these countries. Oxfam affiliates and local partners around the world have pressed for greater disclosure of information on payments from companies to governments, contracts, and how revenues are spent.

Despite weak government capacity – as in many resource-rich countries – Liberia was able to be validated and achieve “compliant status” in 2009, proving that even very poor, post-conflict countries can meet the deadline when EITI is strongly supported and promoted at the highest levels of government. “For those governments truly interested in implementation, millions of dollars of technical assistance from donor governments are available. The board should not accept sluggish government implementation as sufficient reasons for extensions. If extensions are given, the board should explicitly disclose the reasons for the extension cited by the country in its request,” said Offenheiser.

Since October 2006, a strong governance structure has been in place for EITI, including a multi-stakeholder board including company, government, and civil society representatives as well as a clear process for implementation and validation. In 2008, the first 22 candidate countries were given the March 9, 2010 deadline to assess their progress as input into a board decision as to whether or not they are fully “compliant” with the rules of the initiative.

The EITI board will consider all extension requests received by the March 9 deadline at its meeting on April 15/16. Oxfam International believes that any extensions given should be based on the existing EITI rules and contain a hard deadline whereby a country failing to meet the new deadline would be automatically dropped from the initiative without any further board discussion.

Oxfam International has been supporting civil society partners – many part of the global Publish What You Pay coalition – in several EITI implementing countries who are working to ensure that their governments faithfully follow through on EITI commitments. In several EITI implementing countries, civil society activists promoting revenue transparency have faced harassment, criminal charges, and jail time merely for exercising their rights to freedom of expression as part of their anti-corruption campaigning. Unfettered and independent civil society participation at every step of the EITI process is non-negotiable. In addition, transparency is needed in other areas to ensure that citizens receive a fair deal from the development of extractive industries. This includes disclosure of contracts and easy access to government budget and expenditure information.

While the burden of implementation is on host governments, EITI does not require international oil and mining companies to act unless host governments decide to join the initiative. Given uneven EITI progress to date, additional disclosure rules for oil, gas and mining companies are needed.

One such measure, The Energy Security through Transparency Act (ESTT), is a bi-partisan piece of legislation introduced in the United States Senate in September 2009 by Senators Lugar and Cardin. This legislation would require all oil, gas, and mining companies to disclose payments to host countries and extend transparency as a truly global standard for company operations. The ESTT Act would apply not only to US companies, but to all companies registered with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. This includes European companies, such as Shell and BP, as well as those in emerging markets like China, India, and Brazil. In addition to the US passage of this law, other financial jurisdictions in Europe and elsewhere should pass similar legislation.

“Those countries that are the headquarters for the global mining industry including Australia, Canada, and the US should also lead by example by committing to become EITI countries themselves. They should also emphasize the importance of EITI implementation in their bilateral relations with resource-rich countries” said Serena Lillywhite of Oxfam Australia.

“The decisions made by the EITI board following this deadline are crucial for real progress in the global movement for oil, gas, and mining industry transparency. Faithful implementation of the EITI, complemented by other disclosure requirements, such as the Energy Security through Transparency Act, will create a new global standard for transparency and help citizens hold their governments accountable for directing revenues to essential services like health and education,” said Offenheiser.

Climate leaders celebrated on International Women’s Day

jlee — 2010-03-08T20:24:35Z

Washington, DC— International humanitarian organization Oxfam America marked International Women’s Day today by celebrating the efforts of a number of women who bear witness to the impacts of climate change and who are working on solutions, locally and globally.

The event is part of Oxfam’s Sisters on the Planet Climate Leaders Summit, which brings to Washington almost 100 women from 33 states to advocate for climate legislation that includes substantial investments in vulnerable communities around the world. This Summit takes place just as the Senate is undertaking new efforts to pass climate change legislation.

“International Women's Day is about celebrating the economic, political and social achievements of women. And so today, we celebrate the women who lead the charge in creating the political momentum needed to address climate change in a way that empowers their sisters across the globe to add their voice and ingenuity to the solution,” said Janet McKinley, Oxfam America’s Chair of the Board.

Oxfam’s Sisters on the Planet initiative unites prominent, well-connected American women from sectors spanning government, business, non-profit, faith, entertainment, and philanthropy to amplify the voices of millions of women worldwide who are adversely affected by climate change. The effort seeks a comprehensive climate and energy bill that builds the strengths of poor communities around the world to successfully adapt to the impacts of climate change.

“Because women are disproportionally impacted by the effects of climate change, they are in an excellent position to devise local solutions,” said Majora Carter, the event’s Keynote Speaker and President of the Majora Carter Group, a consultancy specializing in environmental justice and sustainable economic development. “Women, who have been excluded from much of the decision making processes that brought us here, represent the possibility of a new vision.”

Two prominent women — Lieutenant Governor of Wisconsin Barbara Lawton and League of Women Voters President Mary Wilson — were presented with Sisters on the Planet Climate Leaders Awards to celebrate their efforts to promote US policy that combats the effects of the climate crisis.

“As Congress develops the ambitious legislative package to tackle climate change, we must not forget about the people who are struggling to cope with the negative impacts of climate change today and those who will struggle tomorrow, here and around the world.” said Lawton.

“On this International Women’s Day, we are here to remind our lawmakers that cutting our emissions is necessary, but only part of the climate change equation. Providing the necessary resources to help poor people, especially women, cope with a changing climate is the other,” said Wilson.

Four women from the front lines of climate change in Peru, Uganda, Senegal, and the US Gulf Coast were also presented with Sisters on the Planet Climate Witness Awards.

“I ask Americans to help my community fight the climate change that destroys our houses, increases diseases and stops our children from attending schools,” said Constance Okollet, a farmer who has journeyed from the Tororo district in Eastern Uganda for the event.

“From using hand cranked radios that give advance warning of threatening storms to planting trees that protect water supplies, women on the front lines in the battle against climate change are fighting back, and we must help them,” said Sharon Hanshaw, Executive Director of Coastal Women for Change in Biloxi, Mississippi. “On this International Women’s Day, we must get through the noise in Washington and get Congress to help poor communities cope!”

Oxfam team assesses the damage in south Chile

llucas — 2010-03-04T17:03:26Z

Oxfam's assessment of the damage of Saturday's earthquake to the south of Chile is now well underway. The aid agency's team of logisticians and water engineers split in two and headed for two locations - Constitución and Concepcion.

Both teams are assessing the damage by talking to local authorities, firefighters involved in the rescue work and local people about the extent of the damage. They are particularly concerned about access to clean drinking water and poor sanitation facilities.

The team in Constitucion yesterday visited a school which is acting as accommodation for up to 300 people. Many are sleeping in classrooms or tents in the grounds.

Speaking from Constitucion, Charlie Rowley, who is heading up Oxfam's assessment team in Chile, yesterday said: "The tsunami that hit the coastal areas has done significant damage to infrastructure and we are particularly concerned about the impact to water and sanitation facilities. Shortages of water and poor sanitation are a major concern and if this is not addressed than it could, in time, have an impact on public health.

"Relief supplies are starting to reach people in the south and we have seen food and medical supplies being distributed but we believe there are still many people in need who have not received any assistance yet."

The assessment is due to be completed by the end of today. The team will then return to Santiago while the results of the assessment are considered and a decision is made on what Oxfam's response will be.

Oxfam's team arrives in Chile to assess damage

llucas — 2010-03-02T14:46:34Z

Oxfam's team of humanitarian workers arrived in Santiago during the early hours of Tuesday morning spearheading the aid agency’s response to Saturday’s devastating earthquake.

The team of five - consisting of water engineers and logisticians - is heading across to Concepcion today by road, fearing the 300-mile journey could take up to 12 hours due to the poor condition of the road.

As well as sending a team to the disaster-hit area, the organization is also planning to send a stock of relief supplies from its storage warehouse in Bolivia to Chile.

Oxfam has a stock of basic emergency supplies in the shape of blankets, water buckets and water filters in Bolivia. Oxfam is looking into how to send these supplies to Chile. On arrival they will be handed over to partner organizations for use where the need is most.

Once the experienced team members arrive at the affected area, they will start assessing people’s access to clean, fresh drinking water and sanitation facilities. They will also be looking to see whether there is a need for Oxfam to provide emergency shelter.

Charlie Rowley, who is heading up Oxfam’s assessment team in Chile, said:

"We are Oxfam's eyes and ears on the ground.

"It is early days yet but we are here to see how we can make a real difference and do what we can to help the people whose lives have been turned upside down by this disaster. We are particularly concerned about people living in the more remote, rural areas as they are least likely to receive immediate assistance."

Oxfam’s team in Latin America has been talking to Chilean organizations to get as full a picture as possible of the extent of the damage - particularly in the rural, hard-to-reach areas. Until the assessment is complete, the aid agency is unclear about what its precise role in the relief effort will be.

Tsunami warning passes as staff move in to Chile

llucas — 2010-03-01T17:20:31Z

Details on the impact of the earthquake on Chile are still emerging but Oxfam's emergency response team is now en route and set to arrive in country on Monday.

Poor telecommunications in Chile are making it hard to get a true picture of the extent of the damage but the infrastructure damage to arterial roads and airports is hampering the speed of the response.

Jeremy Loveless, Oxfam’s deputy humanitarian director, says:

“Access to the affected area is often difficult during the first 24 hours after an earthquake and it is deeply frustrating that it can take some time to get our staff to where they need to be. Our team has to drive over the top of the Andes on badly damaged roads to get to Concepcion because the Santiago airport is still closed.

“Until our team has been able to reach the affected area and complete an early assessment, we are unclear how we will best be able to assist the thousands of people affected by the quake.

"Chile has an effective emergency response system, and a government that is able to organize relief. At this stage, it is unlikely that we will need to respond in the same way as in Haiti or Pakistan but until our team actually reaches the affected area we will not know for sure."

In the Pacific Islands, Oxfam had staff and materials on standby in the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea but the tsunami warnings have now passed.

Haiti earthquake one month later: Aid agency says ‘still a mountain to climb’ in Haiti

jlee — 2010-02-11T21:20:55Z

PORT-AU-PRINCE – A Herculean effort is still needed to prevent public health deterioration in Haiti warns International aid agency Oxfam. Time is pressing as there are only six weeks before the start of the rainy season.

There have been enormous and successful efforts delivering clean water and food to people since the quake hit exactly a month ago. To date, Oxfam has provided assistance to about 100,000 people and continues to scale up operations, planning to reach at least 500,000 people by the end of July.

But the same effort must now be made to tackle poor sanitation. A coordinated effort is needed from the international community, the UN, and aid agencies in advance of the rainy season, due in April.
“Around 230,000 people lost their lives on January 12. It is our priority to make sure that we don’t let that number grow,” said Marcel Stoessel, Head of Oxfam in Haiti.
Oxfam fears that cases of diarrhea and other water-borne diseases could spread given the combination of poor drainage, a limited number of latrines, and crowded living conditions.

Oxfam has so far installed latrines at 11 key sites and many more are planned. Public health teams are also working with communities to reduce the risk of disease by clearing trash and raising awareness. But there is still a long way to go.

“Thanks to the generous public and political response, the aid effort has rapidly expanded to meet people’s needs, but there is still a mountain to climb.

“We now need a surge in effort to improve sanitation facilities for people in Haiti. Let us not kid ourselves that this is going to be easy, it requires a Herculean humanitarian effort from all sectors.

The temporary camps where people have congregated are fast-becoming over-crowded slums and need upgrading to allow easy access to basic services. More ditches are needed to improve drainage in the crowded camps before the rains begin. Oxfam also fears for the safety of people who have moved to areas that are at risk from land and mudslides because of the upcoming rains.

The Government of Haiti has plans to resettle people, but still needs to clarify whether there is government land available or if they will have to take over privately owned land. The Government also needs to ensure people are not forced to move away from their communities, new camps are safe, and there is a plan in place to ensure camps do not become dumping grounds outside the city. These decisions need to be made quickly.

The huge logistical challenges facing the aid effort - communications, transport, loss of key staff, destroyed physical and political infrastructure – are slowly being overcome, but bottlenecks still remain.

While the coordination of the aid effort is going well, Oxfam said it still needs to be improved. Hundreds of agencies now in Haiti - estimates vary from 500 to 900 – are playing their part in the response. The UN has made great strides coordinating the aid effort, but, along with the Government of Haiti, it needs to provide stronger leadership.

As more than 75 percent of Haiti’s capital needs to be rebuilt, reconstruction will take many years and needs the full support of the international community, Oxfam said.

“The vision of the Haitian government should ensure that a newly built Haiti does not recreate the injustices and inequalities of the past.

“The country’s reconstruction should be led by Haitians for Haitians,” Stoessel said. “With more than 80 percent living below the poverty line before the earthquake, the needs of Haiti’s poor must be central.”

Though the focus of the aid effort centers around the capital, where the majority of needs are, there is a growing concern about conditions in the countryside where nearly 500,000 people have fled. Vigilance is needed to ensure that their needs do not fall off the radar, and support must be provided to those hosting them.

Oxfam America accepts ‘Hope for Haiti Now’ funds to support recovery work in Haiti

jlee — 2010-02-05T20:42:02Z

BOSTON, MA – “Hope for Haiti Now” today announced the distribution of $35 million as the first installment of funds raised through the January 22nd telethon “Hope for Haiti Now: A Global Benefit for Earthquake Relief.” International aid agency Oxfam America received $8 million to build systems for clean water and safe sanitation, deliver shelter and relief supplies, and work on lasting solutions for food security, housing, and land issues. Oxfam America president Raymond C. Offenheiser said:

“The ‘Hope for Haiti Now’ telethon was an outstanding example of the outpouring of support for Haiti. Since the earthquake, Oxfam has witnessed widespread devastation, but also the startling resilience of the people of Haiti who began rebuilding their lives the very next day.

“Oxfam has been supporting rescue efforts, assessing the damage and responding with public health, water, and sanitation services. We continue to work serving nearly 100,000 people in temporary camps with water distribution sites, safe sanitation supplies, and temporary shelter needs. This includes our cash-for-work program, which provides cash compensation for earthquake survivors in exchange for public service jobs in temporary camps where hundreds of thousands of people are now living.

“Haiti has a painful history of political instability and humanitarian disasters. We look forward to applying these funds to help people of Haiti determine the course of their future and not only rebuild their homes and livelihoods, but rebuild better.”

With the funds from “Hope for Haiti Now,” Oxfam America has raised more than $20.5 million for Haiti relief and recovery work. The agency is keeping the appeal open for people to donate toward longer-term plans to help Haitians recover and rebuild their lives, over approximately the next three to five years.

Foreign oil corruption seeping into the US: Senate examines evasion of anti-corruption laws

jlee — 2010-02-04T16:32:46Z

WASHINGTON, DC – The Senate’s Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations held a hearing today examining how foreign government officials, their relatives, and associates have used US financial institutions and professionals – including lawyers, realtors, escrow agents, lobbyists, and bankers – to circumvent US regulations and bring millions of suspect dollars into the country. International aid agency Oxfam America commends the committee for shedding light on these instances of corruption, which often occur in countries with oil, gas, and mineral wealth and robs governments of money that could be used to fight poverty.

The hearing, “Keeping Foreign Corruption Out of the United States: Four Case Histories,” looked at cases involving officials and individuals from Angola, Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea, and Gabon – major African oil producers and important suppliers of energy to the United States. A long history of oil revenue mismanagement and corruption among political elites has left these countries with high rates of poverty, internal conflict, and instability.

“We commend the committee for examining how US policies and practices can be strengthened to combat foreign corruption and money laundering,” said Raymond C. Offenheiser, president of Oxfam America. “Corruption and mismanagement thrive in environments characterized by secrecy, so the promotion of transparency and accountability is central to a reform agenda that will truly address these issues. An important start is passing the Energy Security through Transparency Act.”

The Energy Security through Transparency Act of 2009 (S.1700), introduced in September 2009 by a bipartisan group led by Senators Lugar and Cardin, aims to reduce corruption and insecurity in the oil, gas, and mining industries by requiring companies to publicly disclose payments to foreign governments. A companion House bill is expected to be introduced shortly.

Citizens of resource-rich countries usually have little or no information about how their governments use natural resource revenues. The United States receives significant amounts of natural resources from these often corrupt or unstable regimes – not to mention millions of suspect dollars coming into the country as highlighted at today’s hearing. The Energy Security through Transparency Act would require disclosure of all payments made to foreign governments by oil, gas, and mining companies registered with the US Securities and Exchange Commission.

“Opening the books on oil, gas, and mining payments from the start will go a long way to combat the corrupt activities of foreign officials that the committee has examined today. This legislation would foster accountability in nations where secrecy has undermined development, democracy, and human rights – secrecy that has seeped into the United States as corrupt officials bypass our regulations, posing a long-term threat to national security, foreign policy, and economic interests of the United States.”

Oxfam urges quick action on Haiti trade bill

jlee — 2010-02-03T18:59:31Z

Washington, DC— International relief and development agency Oxfam America welcomed today’s introduction of the “Renewing Hope for Haiti” bill by Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Bill Nelson (D-FL), which will extend existing US trade preference programs with Haiti. In response, Raymond C. Offenheiser, President of Oxfam America, made the following statement:

“While Haitians still need help on water, food, shelter and other emergency needs, we also have to help them rebuild their lives.

“We applaud Senators Wyden and Nelson for introducing a bill that will help contribute to Haiti’s recovery by facilitating access of Haiti’s exports to the US market over the long term, and we urge Congress to move quickly to pass it.

“Haiti was facing extreme poverty before the earthquake, with more than 85% of the population struggling to survive on just two dollars a day. Trade can be part of the recovery by helping to spur economic growth.

“Haiti’s apparel assembly had been the country’s core export industry and a source of fairly quick employment growth in the formal sector, providing some 25,000 jobs or 8% of the country’s formal sector employment before the devastating earthquake. Because the US is the primary market for Haitian apparel exports, this bill will help generate much-needed jobs for Haitians by extending the favorable market-access rules granted to Haiti through existing trade preference programs.

“One of these programs, the Caribbean Basin Trade Partnership Act (CBTPA), would otherwise expire in September, a reality that is deterring investments and importers in the region. This bill will provide the certainty that businesses need to make the necessary investments and plans by extending CBTPA as well as the Haitian Hemispheric Opportunity through Partnership Encouragement Act (HOPE).

“Haiti needs enormous amounts of foreign assistance to not only rebuild but to address the country’s huge development challenges. The people of Haiti must have the central role in the process of reconstruction, and generous US foreign aid is needed. But we can also help the people of Haiti through trade policies that enable them to help themselves, by expanding exports to their largest market over the long term. This bill will help Haiti on its road to recovery and development.”

Oxfam America reaction to State of the Union address

jlee — 2010-01-28T15:36:27Z

Washington, DC—After President Obama’s State of the Union Address tonight, Raymond C. Offenheiser, President of Oxfam America, made the following statement:

“In the face of tremendous economic challenges, we welcome President Obama's recognition that leadership on the world stage advances the common security and prosperity of all people.

“President Obama understands the importance of development and that it can only be achieved with a whole government approach that ensures our policies are supported and reinforced across federal agencies. He is turning words into action in places like Haiti, by elevating development as one of the three pillars of US foreign policy, along with defense and diplomacy.

“And while our immediate concern in Haiti is saving lives, we must also work with the people of Haiti to help the country’s long-term development needs. Decisions made today will shape Haiti’s future for decades to come.

“The increased attention to Haiti has exposed a history of inadequate and contradictory development assistance policies. Responding to the crisis in Haiti should be the catalyst for the key reforms needed to increase the effectiveness of the US foreign aid system in reducing poverty. The Administration is moving in right direction but greater commitment is needed to aid and development policy reform.

“More than a billion people go hungry every day, a human tragedy further exacerbated by faltering investments in agricultural production and outdated trade policies. Demands for greater access to export markets in the developing world could lead to greater poverty and inequality by undermining developing country farmers. US trade policy can and should do much better, and we look forward to working with the Administration to restart the WTO talks and get the Doha Development Agenda back on track.

“Hunger and poverty around the world is also made worse by the growing impacts of climate change. President Obama’s commitment to tackling the energy and climate challenge, which he reiterated tonight, was demonstrated in his efforts to hammer out an agreement with world leaders on climate action last month, including critical financial commitments from the US and other countries to help vulnerable developing countries adapt to climate change.

“Now is the time to act boldly and wisely to deliver on those commitments, which will only reap substantial benefits to the US by promoting global stability and security and protecting our investments in development around the world. And taking action on climate change will not only revive our economy, but also help build a new foundation for lasting prosperity.

“As more troops are deployed in Afghanistan, conflict is expected to increase in and around local villages. This means everything must be done to protect civilians caught up in the middle of the conflict. And as the Afghan people are trying to pull themselves out of poverty and conflict, a greater emphasis on the importance of development must be made as part of the President’s Afghanistan strategy. There is no purely military solution to Afghanistan and fighting poverty in a country where half of Afghans are impoverished is also vital. The well being of ordinary Afghans will be undermined if aid is based on military objectives, rather than Afghans’ needs.

“From his actions over the last year and punctuated by tonight’s speech, President Obama has embarked our country in a new era of engagement and partnership with the world. At a time of financial insecurity, Americans are understandably concerned about their own economic well-being, but we must remember that addressing the needs of the most vulnerable populations around the world is both the right thing to do, and the best road to take to create a more just, prosperous, and secure world for all.”

Aid agencies sound the alarm on the militarization of aid in Afghanistan

mhart — 2010-02-22T16:39:40Z

As Foreign Ministers gather in London for a major conference on Afghanistan, leading aid agencies warn that the international militaries' use of aid as a “non-lethal” weapon of war is putting Afghans at greater risk.

A US Army manual for commanders in Afghanistan and in Iraq defines aid as a non-lethal weapon designed “to win the hearts and minds of the indigenous population to facilitate defeating the insurgents.” The Afghan government estimates international forces have already spent $1.7 billion on “aid” in Afghanistan. The US military alone has budgeted an additional $1 billion for the coming year – more than Afghanistan’s state budget for agriculture, health and education combined.

The seven international agencies are concerned that the militarization of aid is putting ordinary people on the frontlines of the conflict. Afghans are telling aid organizations that the military place them at greater risk when they build schools and clinics, which then become targets of armed opposition groups.

The agencies say that “quick impact” projects provide a quick fix rather than sustainable development. Military-led humanitarian and development activities are driven by donors’ political interests and short-term security objectives and are often ineffective, wasteful, and potentially harmful to Afghans.

International guidelines agreed by ISAF (The International Security Assistance Force) and the UN state that “the military is primarily responsible for providing security, and if necessary, basic infrastructure and urgent reconstruction assistance limited to gap-filling measures until civilian organizations are able to take over.”

The agencies say that the international forces are going way beyond their remit. Grace Ommer, Afghanistan Country Director of Oxfam, says: “There are no 'quick fixes' in Afghanistan and nobody should be cutting corners -- the people here deserve better. Afghan people have coped with decades of grinding poverty, conflict and disorder and need real, long-term solutions – not just something that looks good when mentioned in military dispatches.”

The agencies call on the 70 countries participating in tomorrow’s London Conference to rethink the militarized approach to aid and develop a long-term aid strategy based on meeting the real needs of Afghans. The agencies say that the distribution of aid is heavily biased in favor of areas where the troop presence is strongest rather than distributed according to need.

“Development is incredibly complex here. You don’t achieve development, let alone security, by simply digging a well or building a school. You can’t fix the country in 18 months just by injecting it with more money,” says G.B. Adhikari, country director of ActionAid.

The agencies say that over the last eight years there have been many places where significant progress has been made in health, education and rural infrastructure, but these have been driven by Afghans’ needs, carefully planned by development experts and implemented in partnership with communities and local government.

The excessive influence of short-term military goals over aid policy is part of a larger flaw in the US-led strategy. “Troop-contributing countries overemphasize military issues and sideline the critical challenge of promoting genuine development and good government,” says Farhana Faruqi-Stocker, managing director of Afghanaid. “This imbalance matters, not only because of the resulting human cost, but also because poverty and weak, corrupt government are key drivers of conflict, and must be effectively addressed if there is to be sustainable peace and development.”

Click here to download "Quick Impact, Quick Collapse: The Dangers of Militarized Aid in Afghanistan"

Notes:
The title of the paper is “Quick Impact, Quick Collapse: The Dangers of Militarized Aid in Afghanistan.” The signatories to this paper are: ActionAid, Afghanaid, Christian Aid, Concern Worldwide, Norwegian Refugee Council, Oxfam International and Trocaire. Author of the paper is Ashley Jackson, Head of Policy and Advocacy, Oxfam International. The US Army manual referenced in “Commanders’ Guide to Money as a Weapons System.”

Oxfam initiates “cash for work” program in Haiti

mhart — 2010-01-26T20:20:18Z

PORT-AU-PRINCE – Oxfam has started to employ people affected by Haiti’s earthquake to clean up their makeshift camps and improve their living conditions. This “cash-for-work” effort began on Sunday and will expand this week across the nine sites serving 80,000 people where Oxfam has recently installed clean water and latrines.

“People are anxious to have some money,” said Oxfam food security expert Alexandros Yiannopoulos. “Just look at the long lines at the few banks that opened on the weekend and the even larger crowds at money transfer outlets where remittances come in.”

Providing paid employment such as collecting trash and human waste not only makes for a cleaner camp, it puts money into the pockets of those who need it most. Oxfam is also contemplating cash distribution in target areas to boost the micro-economy in and around the camps.

“We’ve learned from experience that people prefer money to goods or food,” Yiannopoulos said. “That way they can buy what they need. And who better to decide that than the people themselves.”

Oxfam has tested “cash for work” in crises around the world and found it more effective than food distribution as long as sufficient food is available on the market. Oxfam’s assessment of market conditions in Port-au-Prince shows there is sufficient food, but people do not have the money to purchase it.