These funds will be used over a three-year period to provide support, technical assistance, and information to organizations working to ensure affordable housing is available for those who have been displaced and to protect workers’ rights for those participating in the rebuilding effort, including many migrant, minority, and low-income laborers. A significant portion of the funds will be distributed to local organizations to strengthen their advocacy and service efforts on behalf of Gulf Coast residents.
“Residents in these coastal regions need more help to get their lives back on track,” said Joseph Williams, president of the board of the Steps Coalition, a group of 45 nonprofit organizations advocating for affordable housing, community preservation, human rights, economic and environmental justice, and an equitable recovery for residents and communities in southern Mississippi. "A deeper partnership with Oxfam will help us to more effectively monitor reconstruction and strengthen commitments by state and regional leaders to help all residents—especially those in at-risk communities—on the road to recovery.”
According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Hurricanes Katrina and Rita severely damaged or destroyed nearly 300,000 residences on the Gulf Coast, leaving nearly one million people without the homes they need to resume their normal daily lives. While the storms were indiscriminate, assistance has not been. Those who most need assistance to rebuild or start over, including low-income renters and homeowners, have been largely bypassed by the housing aid flowing into the region. In addition, the estimated tens of thousands of low-wage, mostly immigrant workers who are vital to the region’s rebuilding efforts have endured widespread abuse, including unacceptable living conditions, unpaid wages, and dangerous work environments.
“During the past year and a half, we have seen how many of the Gulf Coast’s neediest residents have been denied the resources they need to rebuild their lives—and how the low-wage workers who are making the rebuilding effort possible have been exploited,” said Raymond C. Offenheiser, president of Oxfam America. “Oxfam is proud to support the local community leaders who are pushing hard to change this, and to help reach the many people who are still not being served.”
Since the 2005 storms, Oxfam’s work has reached several dozen Gulf Coast organizations in both Louisiana and Mississippi. Beginning with the provision of emergency grants to local partners to distribute relief goods, Oxfam has moved to address long-term needs for community recovery, including support for new coalitions that have formed in both states to advocate for the most vulnerable groups. Oxfam worked with leaders in Biloxi, Mississippi to establish a critical coordination center in a low-income section of the city and helped fund a local organizer for a statewide immigrant rights group that has recovered more than $1 million in unpaid wages. In Louisiana, Oxfam reached out to coastal communities outside New Orleans to ensure their needs would not be forgotten. Oxfam’s support for local organizations has enabled thousands of families in coastal areas across the region to begin rebuilding and repairing their homes and to access essential government assistance.
However, a tremendous need for public resources continues. Some recovery funds in Mississippi have not yet been allocated or distributed, and Louisiana is now facing a potential $3 billion shortfall in the $7.5 billion allocated for The Road Home—the state’s housing recovery program. Effective advocacy will help ensure these monies address critical needs such as affordable rental housing and assistance for the lowest income homeowners without insurance.
“Inequities that existed before the devastating hurricanes of 2005 have become even more pronounced and new ones have arisen,” said Hilary Pennington, director of Special Initiatives for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. “This investment, although outside the scope of our usual giving, reflects the enormity of the crisis and our desire to support local organizations so they can grow in expertise and influence.”
Since 2005, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has provided support for the region’s recovery efforts, including investments to support displaced students affected by the hurricanes, help refurbish and rebuild libraries along the Gulf Coast, and support recovery activities in New Orleans.
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The appeal comes as the scale of devastation and necessary relief effort becomes apparent. Hundreds of thousands of Bangladeshis are returning to their homes to find complete ruin: an estimated 273,000 homes have been lost, crops are damaged, and there are increasing water and sanitation concerns.
"The scale of this disaster is enormous," said Heather Blackwell, head of Oxfam in Bangladesh. "Up to three million people are affected. We are seeing families who have lost everything. We urgently need the public’s support to help us save and rebuild people's lives."
Oxfam has been working with local partners since Cyclone Sidr struck on Thursday, with teams in the worst-hit southern districts of Daerhat, Pirojpur, Barguna and Patuakhali assessing and providing urgent relief such as sanitation and food and water. The money raised will be used to continue to provide immediate relief to over 80,000 people - essential sanitation, food and water, shelter, well and latrine cleaning, and debris clearing, as well as helping people get back on their feet.
One of the world's poorest countries, Bangladesh has already faced huge damage from severe floods in July.
"People here are resilient," said Blackwell. "However, the scale is such that it will take months for people to be able to return to their normal lives. With an estimated 75 per cent of crops in the southern region destroyed, this disaster will require a long-term relief effort. Oxfam will be here working with our partners in months to come."
In addition to saving lives, Oxfam’s response intends to reduce risk for the future. The agency is concerned that with an increase in global warming, natural disasters such as the one that has hit Bangladesh are becoming more frequent.
"We have seen an unprecedented number of disasters this year and we have seen time and time again that the world's poorest people are being hit the hardest. The public have responded generously this year. We need them to dig deep again as we scale up our crucial work here."
]]>“Oxfam extends our most heartfelt congratulations to Vice President Al Gore and the members of the IPCC, recognized by the Nobel Foundation for their work in raising the consciousness of millions of people about the impact of climate change around the world.
“Climate change is one of the greatest moral and ethical dilemmas ever faced by human kind. The world’s poorest people are already among the hardest hit by the impacts of global warming, with increasingly dangerous consequences for millions of people should the international community fail to act.
“Oxfam hopes that this recognition will reinforce the urgency of international action on climate change ahead of the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Bali. World leaders need to muster the political will to reduce global warming emissions through mandatory international targets and assist the most vulnerable communities adapt to climate impacts.
“Al Gore’s tireless efforts have especially made climate change undeniable, propelling the topic to the top of the international agenda where it belongs. Oxfam applauds the recognition of this great American leader and hopes that others in leadership positions, especially in the United States, will find the courage and conviction to follow his example.”
]]>LIMA — Upon the completion of its humanitarian needs assessment in southern Peru, international aid agency Oxfam has today reported that thousands of people living in rural areas urgently need all forms of aid.
Over the course of the next several days, Oxfam will provide immediate assistance, including shelter, clean water and sanitation services, to some 2,000 families in some of the remotest areas hit by the earthquake.
"The areas outside of Pisco have also been devastated," said Sergio Alvarez, Humanitarian Lead for Oxfam International in Peru. "The urban areas are being better attended but the rural areas and the city's outskirts have received very little attention so far."
On Friday, the Oxfam team also traveled to rural areas close to Ica, visiting seven communities.
"Our assessment team went as far as they could on the highway, until we found that it was blocked by part of a hill that had fallen onto the road. We saw many people walking in search of food and met others who were trying to walk to the highest Andean communities, because they have had no news about the fate of their relatives," said Alvarez.
In two towns, Humay and Montesierpe, all homes have totally collapsed.
"Only a few communities have water wells which means they will not have water even when electricity comes back," said Alvarez. "The other main concern is that these villages are running out of food, and as of now, they are receiving very little or no aid at all".
The assessment team also found that while some rural communities have been able to find some water by walking to rivers or small streams, it is unclean and drinking it may lead to disease.
According to Alvarez: "Although aid is thankfully beginning to reach the center of Pisco, the large population living farther away remains virtually stranded by the outside world. The longer they are without clean water, the more likely that potentially life-threatening disease will spread."
"Also, we have not seen any latrines being built in Pisco itself. Families are using toilets that aren't functioning. This further increases the possibilities of public health issues and is one of Oxfam's main concerns."
The poorest areas are the ones that consistently suffer the most during and after a natural disaster. In Peru, 49% of the population lives below the poverty line and almost 32% of the population lives on less than $2 per day.
Oxfam America is accepting donations through its Peru Earthquake Relief and Recovery Fund.
]]>"The people of Darfur urgently need the help of organizations like Oxfam,” said George Clooney, Not On Our Watch co-founder.
The grant aids Oxfam's ability to serve over 500,000 displaced people in Darfur and neighboring Chad. In addition to supporting the provision of urgently needed clean water, safe sanitation, and other public health work, the donation will fund longer term needs:
"More than three years of violence in Darfur has devastated millions of people and left them on the edge of survival," said President of Oxfam America, Raymond C. Offenheiser. “We have to find a way to reach more people, get them the support they need, and help them plan for the future.”
Not On Our Watch was founded by George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Don Cheadle and Jerry Weintraub to focus global attention and resources to stop and prevent mass atrocities. Drawing on the powerful voice of citizen artists, activists, and cultural leaders, our mission is to generate lifesaving humanitarian assistance and protection for the vulnerable, marginalized, and displaced. Web site: www.notonourwatchproject.org.
]]>In the ongoing lawsuit, Novartis is challenging India’s patent law in an attempt to protect its own profits. Although the case revolves around a patent application for leukemia drug Glivec, it has potential ramifications for millions of poor people worldwide, according to Oxfam. If Novartis is successful, the entire Indian generic drug industry, which is by far the biggest provider of affordable medicines for poor people, will be threatened.
“Oxfam believes that Novartis is misinforming the public as it defends its decision to pursue legal action against India,” said Jeremy Hobbs, Executive Director of Oxfam International, in a letter to Novartis. “We are not – and have never been – opposed to Novartis’ donations program, but such program can never hope to supply free medicines to all patients, for all diseases, throughout their lives.”
Over a thousand e-mails from doctors, cancer patients and patients’ relatives in support of the corporation’s Glivec donation program were sent to Oxfam via the Max Foundation, in what Oxfam believes is an attempt to deflect attention away from the wider implications of a Novartis victory in this case.
“Novartis and its colleagues in the pharmaceutical industry should respect countries’ rights to take measures that balance the protection of innovation and the promotion of public health,” said US Representative Henry A. Waxman, Chairman of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, in a letter to the Novartis urging the company to reconsider its position on the case. “India’s robust generics market supplies affordable, essential drugs both to its citizens and to poor nations around the world. If India is pressured to make its patent laws more stringent than its obligations under international trade law, this crucial supply of medicines could be threatened.”
The Doha Declaration in 2001 recognized the right of all World Trade Organization members to use such legal flexibilities without fear of challenge. India denied Novartis a patent for Glivec on these grounds, but instead of appealing only that decision, the company has gone much further and challenged the very constitutionality of the Indian law. If successful, Novartis’ actions could lead to a collapse of India’s entire generic drugs industry. Today’s hearing goes to the heart of the debate around universal access to medicine: if Novartis wins its case, access to all of these vital affordable medicines for AIDS and other diseases will be jeopardized.
“If Novartis wins this case, countless medicines previously available cheaply to poor people will be patented and priced out of reach,” said Hobbs. “The medicine cabinet will be firmly locked, and only companies like Novartis will hold the keys.”
]]>“The bill’s authors should be commended for getting the ball rolling on reducing dangerous emissions,” said Raymond C. Offenheiser, president of Oxfam America. “An effective legislative solution, however, must also include robust funding to help the poor deal with the impacts of global warming.”
The world’s poorest people are already among the hardest hit by the impacts of global warming, and climate change will increasingly pose one of the greatest challenges to global poverty reduction efforts in the 21st century, according to Oxfam. Even with significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, the impacts experienced by impoverished countries will be severe, and the United States has a responsibility to assist those communities coping with global warming impacts such as droughts, floods and disease.
“Assisting vulnerable communities in dealing with the consequences of climate change is an important part of a strategy to increase global stability, national security, and to restore the United States' international credibility,” said Offenheiser. We look forward to working with the Senate to produce a bill that better addresses global poverty and with it, related national security concerns.”
The bill’s provision on the creation of a new Program on National Security and Climate Change may provide an opportunity to address impacts on vulnerable countries, but the bill should ensure that the world’s poorest will receive funding to adapt to severe climate impacts, according to Oxfam.
“As one of the world’s largest historic emitters, the United States has a responsibility to address the increasingly severe impacts of climate change—both by leading the effort to reduce global warming emissions and by financing assistance to the most vulnerable communities around the world facing climate impact,” said Offenheiser. “We hope that this legislative effort will go further in achieving these goals.”
“This bill provides an important starting point for the Congressional debate on climate change solutions to follow,” Offenheiser added. “We are committed to working with Senators Lieberman and Warner and the other members of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee to address the impacts of climate change on those who are most vulnerable and least capable of dealing with global warming’s consequences.”
]]>The report "Rising to the Humanitarian Challenge in Iraq" says that although the horrific security situation is the biggest problem facing most ordinary Iraqis, the government of Iraq and other influential governments can and must do more to meet people's basic needs for water, sanitation, food and shelter.
According to the report:
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Jeremy Hobbs, Director of Oxfam International, said: "The terrible violence in Iraq has masked the ongoing humanitarian crisis. Malnutrition among children has dramatically increased and basic services, ruined by years of war and sanctions, cannot meet the needs of the Iraqi people. Millions of Iraqis have been forced to flee the violence, either to another part of Iraq or abroad. Many of those are living in dire poverty.
"Despite the terrible violence the Iraqi government, the UN and the international community could do more to meet people's needs right now," Hobbs continued. "The Iraqi government must commit to helping Iraq's poorest citizens, including the internally displaced, by extending food parcel distribution and cash payments to the vulnerable. Western donors must work through Iraqi and international aid organizations and develop more flexible systems to ensure these organizations operate effectively and efficiently.
"The fighting and weak Iraqi institutions mean there are severe limits on what humanitarian work can be carried out. Nevertheless more can and should be done to help the Iraqi people."
While there is an urgent need for greater humanitarian assistance, Oxfam and NCCI believe that ending the conflict must be the top priority for everyone involved in Iraq. The Iraqi government and US-led coalition must also ensure their troops respect their moral and legal obligations not to harm civilians and their property.
The Iraqi government should immediately extend its food parcel distribution program, increase emergency cash payments and support local aid organizations. The government should also take a more decentralized approach and allow local authorities to deliver aid. Foreign governments, especially the US and UK, should support Iraqi ministries in implementing these policies.
Oxfam had staff working inside Iraq but withdrew them due to chronic security problems. It now supports domestic and international aid agencies which are able to operate in Iraq. Although violence and insecurity restrict aid workers from helping Iraqis in need, an Oxfam survey in April 2007 found that over 80% of aid agencies working in Iraq could do more humanitarian work if they had more money.
Many humanitarian organizations will not accept money from governments that have troops in Iraq, as this could jeopardize their own security and independence. Therefore the report urges international donor governments that have not sent troops to Iraq to provide increased emergency funding for humanitarian action.
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On Saturday, Nov. 10, 31 concerts will take place in the United States, as well as in Australia and South Africa, showcasing bands that share the common goal of promoting peace in the African region. Fans can show their support for the cause by attending one of the concerts. MySpace has arranged for a portion of the proceeds from each concert to be donated to Oxfam (http://www.myspace.com/Oxfam), a leading international relief and development organization, and to the Save Darfur Coalition, a non-profit organization dedicated to raising public awareness about the insecurity in Darfur.
“MySpace is committed to empowering our users to get involved and make a positive impact on the world around them,” said Jeff Berman, senior vice president of public affairs at MySpace. “Rock for Darfur is just one extension of our efforts to encourage the MySpace community to take action, in small, but meaningful ways, and help combat one of the world’s greatest humanitarian crises.”
The “Rock for Darfur” concerts will feature bands from around the world representing all genres of music including pop, rock, country, punk, and reggae, uniting to make a positive impact on the Darfur crisis. Last year’s 22 “Rock for Darfur” concerts together raised $50,000 for relief efforts. Oxfam will use the funds raised to help provide 500,000 people in Chad and the Darfur region of Sudan with basic supplies such as clean water, shelter, blankets, soap, and disease prevention programs. The Save Darfur Coalition works specifically to support awareness and advocacy programs that are vital to ending the Darfur crisis.
"Rock for Darfur" concerts on Nov. 10 will feature:
Human-induced climate change is already causing harm to the world’s poorest people who are the least responsible for emissions and least able to adapt to climatic shocks. Oxfam called on major emitters to urgently take action to keep global warming below 2°C/3.6°F and help the poorest people to cope with the impacts.
“In contrast with this week’s high level UN meeting that aimed to build momentum for a new international climate agreement, many of the world’s poorest and most vulnerable nations were not invited to participate, or even to observe, this week in Washington,” said Jim Lyons, Oxfam America’s vice president for policy and communications. “This week’s efforts should not distract from the central task of achieving a post-2012 binding UN climate change agreement and addressing the adaptation needs of poor nations.”
As one of the world’s largest greenhouse gas emitters, the United States has a responsibility to address these increasingly severe impacts – both by leading the effort to reduce global warming emissions through mandatory international targets and by financing assistance to the most vulnerable communities to adapt to climate impacts, according to Oxfam.
“The world’s poorest people are already among the hardest hit by the impacts of global warming, and climate change will increasingly pose one of the greatest challenges to global poverty reduction efforts in the 21st century,” said Lyons. “From the droughts in Kenya and Tajikistan, to the floods in the deltas of Bangladesh, we are already seeing climatic stresses impacting people’s livelihoods and their ability to manage natural resources. But poor countries should not have to pay for damage caused by the emissions of rich countries.”
Ninety-seven percent of all natural disaster-related deaths already take place in developing countries, according to Oxfam, and the estimates of climate change’s contribution to worsening conditions are disturbing. Adaptation projects, ranging from planting drought resistant crops to building homes and schools on raised foundations, are essential for the poor to survive this global challenge. But current pledges to fund adaptation are less than one percent of the investment needed, estimated by Oxfam to be at least $50 billion annually and far more unless urgent action is taken to cut emissions.
“Should President Bush decide, upon entering his last year in office, to leave a legacy of leadership and hope, then there is some hope for developing countries," said Lyons. “However, should he choose to leave a legacy of neglect, the rest of the world will suffer the consequences.”
]]>The hard-hitting ads set up a direct contrast between the millionaire farmers that benefit most from the Farm Bill, versus small family farmers who are left out in the cold.
“The ball is clearly in the Senate’s court now and they need make the Farm Bill fair,” said Liam Brody, Farm Bill Campaign Director at Oxfam America, which paid for the campaign. “Our campaign asks Senators to stop handouts to millionaires who need it least, and instead help family farms that need it most.”
According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), which also endorsed the ad campaign, 67% of all farmers and ranchers do not collect government subsidy payments in United States. Among subsidy recipients, 10% collected 73% of all subsidies, amounting to $120.5 billion over 11 years.
"The billions of dollars in payments to profitable big farm operations leave only table scraps for small family farmers. Partly financed by federal subsidies, these large operations now have the capitol to outbid smaller farmers for land,” said Ken Cook, President of EWG. “Large farms grow larger, and rural America dries up in the process. Is this government subsidized consolidation in the agriculture sector in the best interest of American taxpayers?"
The first wave of the ad campaign was launched with TV buys in New Hampshire and Minnesota today and print ads in several Washington, DC publications, including The Hill and Congress Daily last week. In both Minnesota and New Hampshire, the Farm Bill is becoming a hot-button political issue, with decisions made by voters having national implications in Senate and Presidential elections.
“The Senate now faces a real test of moral leadership in changing unjust policy that bolsters millionaires at the expense of struggling family farms and people living in poverty at home and abroad,” said Rev. Jim Wallis, Editor and Executive Director of Sojourners/Call to Renewal. “This ad campaign strives to let them know we’re watching.”
“Our members agree that the current commodities programs exacerbate land consolidation and the deterioration of our natural resources, encourage overproduction and create a structure of agriculture that has benefited few, while leaving most producers working harder for less,” said Land Stewardship Project Policy Organizer Adam Warthesen. “Taxpayer dollars would better be used for conservation programs that encourage farmers to be better stewards of the land.”
This farm bill stinks of rotten programs and taxpayer waste," said Ryan Alexander, President of Taxpayers for Common Sense. "We have joined in this effort to make sure Senators know that they need to clean up farm programs, making them market oriented, less costly and trade compliant."
The campaign was endorsed by Oxfam America, Church World Service, Citizens Against Government Waste, Environmental Working Group, Land Stewardship Project, Progressive National Baptist Convention, National Catholic Rural Life Conference, NETWORK, Sojourners/Call to Renewal, and Taxpayers for Common Sense.
Read more about Oxfam America's work to reform the 2007 Farm Bill.
]]>Max Lawson, Senior Policy Advisor at Oxfam said: "What we need to see from the G8 is money, not just another bland communiqué telling us HIV/AIDS is important. By 2010, 10 million people will need treatment, and 7 million need treatment right now. The G8 must stump up the cash now for universal access to prevention, treatment and care, as promised in 2005.
"Germany putting this on the agenda was a real opportunity, but squabbling and backtracking may squander that. In last minute talks, some countries, including Canada and Italy, are trying to avoid any mention of money. Negotiations are set to go on all night. The Germans should hold their ground until the checks are signed."
Oxfam also said that the G8 must agree to provide more money to address the shortage of 4.25 million health workers and inadequate health services in the developing world. Funding must be holistic and coordinated, as it is not enough to build clinics or fund new drug programs if there is nobody to administer them.
Lawson: "Today alone, while the G8 enjoys the sunshine and champagne, 4000 children will be killed by diarrhea and 1400 women will die in pregnancy and childbirth. It is within the G8's power to prevent these unnecessary and shameful deaths.
"Visiting hospitals in Malawi I have met nurses and doctors on 30 hour shifts, without proper breaks. They were exhausted but they didn't feel they could stop. In some places, life-saving drugs were available but are not being administered because there was no one to do so. This is what happens when the G8 renege on their commitments."
Oxfam added that trade rules were impeding access to affordable medicines by granting pharmaceutical companies monopoly rights that threatened generic competition and kept prices high. One out of every three people in the world today cannot afford the medicine they need to treat deadly diseases like AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria.
Oxfam is calling on the G8 to:
At the venue of the alternative summit, where campaigners have been gathering since Saturday, Oxfam staged a stunt, with 'Big Head' puppets of G8 leaders dressed as doctors and nurses testing the health of Africa, by holding stethoscopes to a map of the continent.
]]>“There is an unfolding humanitarian catastrophe in South Central Somalia. Tens of thousands of people are currently fleeing violence in Mogadishu adding to the up to 335,000 people already needing immediate lifesaving assistance in Mogadishu and the Shabelle regions.”
“International and National NGOs cannot respond effectively to the crisis because access and security are deteriorating dramatically at a time when needs are increasing.”
“The international community and all parties to the present conflict have a responsibility to protect civilians, to allow the delivery of aid and to respect humanitarian space and the safety of humanitarian workers.”
For further information on NGO contacts, call the Somalia NGO Consortium on: 020 374 3147 / 020 374 4105.
Today, 40 International and National humanitarian agencies working in Somalia are highlighting the dramatic deterioration of the humanitarian situation in South Central Somalia and are calling on those with a responsibility to protect civilians to act now to save lives.
A dramatic increase in movement from Mogadishu has occurred in the past few days. This comes on the heels of an existing humanitarian crisis in which 1.5 million people in Somalia require humanitarian assistance.
Constrained access and deteriorating security is leaving International and National NGOs with little humanitarian space in which to operate in Somalia.
Given the severe security and access constraints, it is impossible to obtain more precise figures of the magnitude of the crisis. However, all indicators point to a deterioration of the, already dire, humanitarian situation.
Over 400,000 people fled violence and insecurity in Mogadishu earlier this year. After a relative lull, fighting between TFG/Ethiopian troops and anti-government forces violence has now increased again triggering another mass exodus from the city.
Ongoing violence and insecurity continues to severely exacerbate the, already dire, humanitarian crisis in the country.
In the past few days tens of thousands of people have fled renewed violence in Mogadishu. They have fled to areas that were already inundated with 1000’s of IDPs, to host communities whose coping capacities are already at breaking point and to areas in which there is little or no access by humanitarian agencies.
The humanitarian catastrophe unfolding is compounded by the fact that International and National NGOs cannot respond effectively to the crisis. This is due to access and security deteriorating dramatically at a time when needs are increasing at an alarming rate.
International and National NGOs are struggling to deliver assistance through Somali partners in IDP settlement areas, but are constrained by high levels of insecurity and other impediments (for example, harassment, intimidation, roadside bombs and landmines, checkpoints severely delaying access are increasing in number and prices to pass them are rising).
The international community and all parties to the present conflict have a responsibility to protect civilians, to allow the delivery of aid and to respect humanitarian space and the safety of humanitarian workers.
The above statement has been signed by the below agencies:
The decision will protect India's special role as the world's leading provider of affordable medicines to the poor. The agencies welcome Novartis's response today that it is unlikely to appeal the ruling.
Novartis had challenged a law that allows India to refuse a patent for an existing medicine when it had been modified only slightly. The agencies said the case was a direct attack against India's right to protect public health.
Novartis and the pharmaceutical industry have been given a clear message to respect developing countries' legal right to use the World Trade Organization TRIPS (trade-related intellectual property) safeguards to strike the right balance between protecting public health and intellectual property, the agencies said.
India—known as the 'pharmacy of the developing world' due to its massive generic drug production industry—supplies most of the world's affordable generics to developing countries where patented medicines are priced out of most people's reach. More than two-thirds of generic medicines exported from India are sold in developing countries at a fraction of the cost of patented brand medicines.
Novartis's legal challenge posed an enormous threat in developing countries to millions of people suffering from cancer, HIV and AIDS, diabetes and other diseases who are too poor to pay for expensive patented medicines.
Sandhya Venkateswaran, Head of Advocacy for CARE International in India said: "This ruling is a lifeline for the millions of people who cannot afford brand-name drugs, and ensures that essential medicines from India will reach those who rely on them. CARE and other agencies can breathe easily now and continue to deliver treatment programs.
"More than 5 million people with HIV around the world still cannot afford anti-retroviral medicine, but this ruling reduces the number of people for whom HIV is a virtual death sentence. CARE has been able to buy more than twice the amount of anti-retrovirals to treat the HIV and AIDS patients we work with in Peru, thanks to the generic industry in India."
A global campaign by civil society has seen nearly half a million people around the world campaigning against Novartis to drop its case.
Celine Charveriat, head of Oxfam's Make Trade Fair campaign said: "This ruling is a vindication for India and a victory for campaigners. Developing countries should not be bullied by pharmaceutical companies and forced into having to defend themselves in court for correctly using the safeguards available to them to protect public health."
Linda Hartke, coordinator of the Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance, which mobilized church leaders to campaign against Novartis’ case in India, said, “This is a victory for all those who believe people, not profits, must come first in public health.”
CARE, Oxfam, and the EAA call on Novartis to continue to take positive steps to promote access to medicines in developing countries, to promote research and development for neglected diseases and to strike an appropriate balance between protecting public health safeguards in developing countries and intellectual property rights.
]]>Monte Verde, known to the Chiquitanos as Casa Grande, or Big House, is a territory of almost 2.5 million acres located in south-eastern Bolivia near the Brazilian border.
The land titling victory follows more than a decade of grassroots organizing in indigenous communities which resulted in successful advocacy work and public pressure, including five peaceful protest marches where indigenous men, women and children walked nearly 600 miles to reach their local governments to claim their rights to their lands.
“This allows the Chiquitano people to recover land which has traditionally belonged to them,” said Jorge Velazquez of Oxfam International in Bolivia. “It is the beginning of a new stage of their history.”
“We want to recognize the work of organizations within the Chiquitano community – including Concepción, San Javier, Lomerío,” continued Velazquez. “They stood up for their rights and got their land back.”
The land titling recognizes the Chiquitano people’s ownership of the land, which will enable them to strengthen their development initiatives as they seek the best way to manage their forests and renewable resources for future generations.
This is a substantial victory for indigenous peoples and their rights as outlined in the International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention No. 169 on indigenous and tribal peoples, a policy that has been included in Bolivian legislation as Law No. 1257.
“Oxfam International sees this as a historic moment because land is a critical element of indigenous identity - not only does it provide natural resources for sustenance, but it is also their natural habitat, they are united to it by a series of cultural and spiritual values that give them their meaning, affirm their identity, and guide their lives,” Velazquez concluded.
The Coordinating Committee of Ethnic Peoples of Chiquitania (CPESC), the Confederation of Indigenous Peoples of Bolivia (CIDOB), and the Center for Legal Studies and Social Research (CEJIS) have worked together during this process, with the support of Oxfam International, to advocate for the Chiquitano people, and to help them build organizing capacity and negotiation skills so that they could play a more active role in Bolivian society.
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