Known as Section 1504 or Cardin-Lugar provision of the Dodd-Frank Act, the law requires oil, gas and mining companies to disclose payments they make to countries where they do business. While fighting this law in the US courts, these four companies sit on the global board of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) – a set of voluntary principles under which governments publicly disclose their revenues from oil, gas and mining projects, and companies make parallel disclosures regarding payments they make to host governments for oil and mineral extraction.

The call to action comes as the EITI global conference kicks off in Sydney where representatives from civil society, oil, gas and mining companies and governments have gathered to discuss increasing transparency in extractive industries. The EITI board is launching a new standard that will require company and project-level reporting in line with Section 1504 as well as the recently agreed EU mandatory disclosure law. In addition to publicly held companies, which are also covered by the US law, the European directives will require large privately-held companies to disclose payments.

“From rural villagers in Africa to investors on Wall Street, the new EITI standard coupled with US and EU mandatory disclosure laws sends a strong signal to companies that the transparency train has left the station,” said Ian Gary, senior policy manager of Oxfam America’s oil, gas and mining program who is speaking at the global conference.

Momentum for increasing transparency in the extractive industries started over a decade ago with the “Publish What You Pay” campaign followed quickly by the establishment of the EITI. Now, 11 countries have implemented EITI with the United States being the first G8 country to commit to implementation as well as pass a mandatory disclosure law. Mandatory disclosure ensures that citizens in resource rich countries will have access to payment information even if their government has not volunteered to join EITI. Companies can “support” EITI without disclosing payments in every country of operation.

“Transparency in the oil, gas and mining industry is now a global norm,” said Gary. “Oil companies should join citizens in resource-rich countries, investors, and energy consumers in supporting disclosure rather than seeking to turn back the tide through litigation and threaten global progress toward reducing corruption in resource-rich countries.”

While mining companies have not fought implementation of the US rule, the oil industry, through API, is now pursuing its lawsuit in the US District Court after the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia dismissed the case based on jurisdictional grounds. Oxfam will file a supplemental brief to rebut API’s unsubstantiated arguments.

“Protection of the law is essential for investors to asses a company’s risk and for communities in resource-rich countries to hold governments to account,” said Gary. “This lawsuit is wholly incompatible with the industry’s transparency commitments and support of payment disclosure through such initiatives as the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative. It is unacceptable that oil companies should receive reputation benefits by supporting a transparency initiative while at the same time fighting a landmark payment disclosure law in US courts. ”

Additional Resources:

- VIDEO: Promote transparency: End the secret payments in oil and mining industries

The report, No Accident: Resilience and the inequality of risk, shows that the millions of people experiencing poverty bear a disproportionate amount of the risk of disaster. Some 90 per cent of workers in least developed countries have no social security and 97 per cent of people on low incomes have no insurance cover making them highly vulnerable to disasters, food hikes and or illness – 100 million people fall into poverty just because they have to pay for health care. Women are particularly vulnerable because of their economic, political and social status.

The incidence of extreme weather-related events is increasing and more people are living in places that are susceptible to disasters. Since 1970 the number of people exposed to floods and cyclones has doubled.

“Inequality is driving up poor people’s vulnerability. Vulnerability is not a random twist of fate. Risk is actively being dumped on to people. While rich countries reap the benefits of carbon-spewing economic growth, those in the world’s poorer countries suffer the consequences. Aid can help soften the blow but if we are to tackle the injustice of this we have to deal with the inequality of power and politics that make people vulnerable. That means rich countries http://www.oxfamamerica.org/press/pressreleases/portal_factory/PressRelease/pressrelease.2013-05-21.4890964089/editreducing the risk of climate change, governments everywhere reducing inequalities and giving poor people a voice in decisions that affect their lives. It also means the aid world changing the way it does business and working more effectively at supporting people to cope better with crises,” said Debbie Hillier, the report’s author.

The report calls for a fundamental shift both in overcoming emergencies and reducing entrenched poverty. It calls on governments and aid agencies to ensure that efforts to boost economic growth are matched by efforts to manage risk and to reduce inequality – they must go hand in hand. National governments must ensure that their poorest citizens are protected in times of crisis and can access essential services like health and education, funded by more progressive taxation.

The aid world, including Oxfam, also needs to change and end the divide between short term humanitarian work and the long term development work. This will require both a transformation in working culture and much more flexible funding

The report also goes on to say that development work cannot be predominately targeted in largely stable environments. The world is shifting radically. By 2015, half of all people living with less than $1.25 a day will be in fragile states and conflicts, and millions more will face disasters from global economic or environmental changes that seem out of control.

Oxfam says that the aid world’s new focus on ‘resilience’ – building poor people’s ability to cope with crises – is far too much focused on technical fixes and needs to take into account the politics and power that make people vulnerable.

As refugees continue to arrive in Jordan and Lebanon, Oxfam says the health risks must be urgently addressed. Increased cases of public health-related diseases such as diarrhea and skin infections have already been recorded in host communities and temporary settlements where an increasing number of refugees now live. Just in the Beqaa Valley in Lebanon, there are now some 240 tented settlements, six times the amount recorded in January.

The Lebanese Ministry of Public Health says more than 100 cases of cutaneous leishmaniasis, also known as the Aleppo boil, have been diagnosed in private clinics in the past two weeks. If left untreated, the festering boil, can grow to a weeping wound several centimeters in diameter. It is caused by a single-cell parasite that is transmitted by sand fly. Access to medicine, clean water, and good hygiene practices are critical to help treat these infections.

Despite the generosity of Lebanese citizens and authorities, most Syrian refugees still have poor access to water and sanitation facilities in Lebanon. UNHCR says it is worried that the incidence of water-related diseases will increase in the coming few months as a result. In MSF clinics throughout the Beqaa Valley, 84 cases of diarrhea have been confirmed in April. According to the agency, the rise in case load is expected to continue in the coming months due to lack of clean water, inadequate sanitation and the arrival of the hot season. International Medical Corps (IMC) in Lebanon reported that seven percent of the patients were suffering from gastro intestinal diseases and is expected to increase in the coming weeks. Access to clean and potable water is essential as gastro intestinal diseases can lead to dehydration.

Oxfam, which has decades of experience in addressing public health risks through improved access to water and sanitation, says it is crucial to ensure funds are in place to provide refugees with shelter, clean water and adequate sanitation. Oxfam is aiming to raise some $53.4 million over the next year, but so far its appeal is only 23 percent funded ($10.6 million).

“We are starting to really worry about the health of Syrian refugees. Too many are living in inadequate shelters such as an empty shopping center or the outskirts of a cemetery. These shelters have no toilets, little water and garbage has started to pile up. With high summer right around the corner, refugees living in poor sanitary conditions are facing serious risks of diseases,” said Rick Bauer, regional humanitarian coordinator for Oxfam.

“During the upcoming months of dry summer, we need to minimize the risks and this starts with providing refugees with proper shelter. High rental costs in both Jordan and Lebanon are forcing thousands of refugees to live and sleep in overcrowded, insanitary conditions, with little privacy. The aid effort must be properly funded and focused on providing refugees with affordable and decent places to stay, where they can live with dignity. That’s priority number one for refugees and host communities alike.”

As needs continue to grow both in Syria and host countries, the current UN appeal for the Syria crisis is only 58 per cent funded, over US$650 million-short. The UN agencies are set to review and issue a new call for funds for the next six months on June 7.

In Jordan, where 55 percent of the refugees are under the age of 18, Syrians living in host communities, are lacking the money to buy the basics including soap and enough water for bathing. In one tent community in West Balqa Oxfam found that some children could only take a bath once every ten days. Oxfam has already seen an increasing number of skin infections especially among young children.

The aid organization is also looking to increase its direct assistance in Balqa and Zarqa to help refugee as well as local communities access clean water and essential hygiene items. Oxfam will be working closely with refugees and host communities to introduce water conservation measures and promote hygiene practices using less water for all residents, including local communities. In addition, Oxfam is scaling up its water and sanitation program in Jordan’s biggest refugee camp, Zataari camp, to cope with the rising temperatures and the knock-on health risks. World Health Organization has identified dehydration, diarrhea, and food conservation as the main risks in the camp.

In Lebanon, the North Governorate hosts the highest concentration of people in need of clean water and basic sanitation. As of May 2013, some 635,000 people are in need of assistance – both refugees and host communities – and Oxfam says it anticipates this number to increase to more than 740,000 by November 2013.

Municipalities in the Beqaa Valley have reported to international aid organizations that they were unable to provide solid waste disposal services for the refugees. They have called for funding to be able to assist and make sure that garbage disposal is done on a regular basis in makeshift camps now home to thousands of Syrian refugees.
       
Bauer said: “The sad reality is that the vast majority of Syrian refugees are not going home soon. It is also crystal clear that host communities in Lebanon and Jordan need urgent help. Both countries have shown incredible solidarity and generosity in welcoming refugees, but they need help dealing with serious health risks and the possibility of diseases which will affect refugees and host communities alike in the coming months.

“During the summer months, people need secure water supplies for good hygiene practices and prevent common diseases. But if aid groups and local authorities are to be able to increase their programs, they need more funds. There is no way around it. Providing safe water, appropriate sanitation facilities, and access to health care is costly. It’s time for the key donors to wake up and face that reality.”

“Cooperation between the United States and Turkey is vital. The two countries have distinct yet complementary strengths and must work together to find real, coordinated solutions that will save lives in Syria and bring stability to the region. Now is the time for Turkey to match its generous contributions to the humanitarian response with meaningful action to push for a political solution to the crisis,” said Noah Gottschalk, Senior Humanitarian Policy Advisor for Oxfam.

Last week, the United States pledged another $100 million in humanitarian support to Syrians (bringing the total to nearly $500 million). As President Obama recognized today, Turkey has also made significant humanitarian contributions on border of the Syrian conflict, hosting more than 200,000 refugees in 17 camps and around 200,000 more outside the camps as well as investing more than $750 million to date in response to this humanitarian crisis. This support is critical for the millions of civilians uprooted from their homes and living in camps and host communities throughout the region.

“International humanitarian funding is welcomed, but the demand is simply outweighing the supply. Aid organizations are scrambling to meet the needs and coordination is increasingly difficult in a fragmented and polarized context. Saving lives of civilian women, men and children caught in the crossfire and responding to their basic needs will become increasingly difficult unless common sense prevails, people are allowed to reach the aid they need, and violence stops,” said Gottschalk.

Increasing humanitarian aid, while vital, is not enough. As President Obama and Prime Minister Erdogan continue their discussions this evening, more than 70,000 people have already been killed with more dying every day the conflict continues. Prime Minister Erdogan has previously called upon the United States to provide lethal assistance to Syrian opposition groups, but transfers of weapons and ammunition risks both prolonging conflict and further destabilizing countries in the region. It would also almost certainly contradict the principles of the recently-agreed Arms Trade Treaty that outlaws arms transfers, which pose an overriding risk of being used to commit serious abuses of human rights or international humanitarian law. The two governments must push for strong, coordinated political engagement from all sides. Support or providing more arms and ammunition to one side in Syria encourages other governments to increase arms supplies to the opposing side.

“Providing arms won’t ‘level the playing field’; it will fuel a relentless arms race with deadly consequences, both in the short and long term. The meeting today is an opportunity for the United States and Turkey to show leadership in the international community. Instead of arms support, leaders should focus on pressing the warring parties to ensure civilians are safe and can access aid, and work toward a lasting political solution,” said Gottschalk.

The international humanitarian organization published a report today called Mali: A New Development Contract, as donors meet in Brussels to discuss their plans for the country’s future.

Marietou Diaby, Oxfam’s Country Director in Mali, said that since the breakout of the crisis last year international attention on Mali has focused mainly on security and counter-terrorism so far. That focus now needs to be widened.

“Donors must learn the lessons from crises such as Afghanistan that a narrow approach to winning a military conflict is never enough to achieve sustainable long-term peace and security,” Diaby said. “Donors need to help build the foundations for genuine prosperity in Mali – otherwise they’ll have left the job half done.”

Mali today is in dire straits. As of last month, people in the north are facing a second food crisis in as many years. There are food shortages, disruption of supplies and inflation. Around 467,000 people – approximately one third of the population in the North – are displaced by the conflict. The country’s economy is now in decline, having fallen in the UN Human Development Index to one of the five poorest in the world over the last 12 months.

Oxfam stresses that Mali does have strong economic potential. It is now Africa’s third largest gold producer but the population has not yet profited from this wealth. One in five people – around three million altogether – live in extreme poverty and are unable to meet their basic nutritional needs.

“The Malian government is primarily responsible to its own people to drive the country’s development,” continued Diaby. “It certainly needs to improve the management of its resources and distribute the benefits more fairly. It must overcome the problems of corruption and lack of transparency. Mali’s future prosperity must be much more grounded in the interests and needs of ordinary people and allow them to play a more central role in determining their future.”

Oxfam says smart development aid can play a significant role at this crucial time too. There are encouraging signs that donors know it’s time now to shift their focus toward solving the structural problems that are undermining Mali’s development. They have to follow through with real action – provide immediate resources for the humanitarian response and commit funding for the long-term, at least the next 15 years. They must also clearly state that they need to see a government using its resources to tackle poverty and corruption and inequality and to promote human rights.

“Savings groups respond to the unmet needs of the rural poor by providing a secure place to save,” said Offenheiser. “Today, billions of adults around the world lack access to basic savings and credit, either ignored or forgotten by the commercial banking sector. This research shows that when given the right tools, the rural poor can be savers. The Saving for Change program has thus created a crucial safety net for families living on the edge of subsistence, when one serious illness or drought is the difference between life and death.”

“Financial inclusion, especially when paired with education and other social inputs, can have a transformative impact on the lives of very poor people,” commented Freedom from Hunger President, Steve Hollingworth. “This study confirms that savings groups contribute substantially to the resilience of people living at the edge of hunger. It verifies what we have known for more than 25 years, that access to basic financial services, even non-formal ones, can help very poor families escape chronic hunger.”

Results from the study show that households in villages with savings groups experienced an 8% increase in food security and saved 31% more on average, underscoring the success of Saving for Change, an innovative savings group program of Oxfam America, Freedom from Hunger and the Strømme Foundation.

Saving for Change promotes resilience and the accumulation of productive financial assets for nearly 680,000 members in 13 countries throughout Africa, Asia and Latin America. Working in rural villages, the program trains groups of women to save regularly, borrow from their group’s fund to build small businesses or homes, buy food, educational materials or medicine and to repay loans from the group with interest.

Typically immediate family households in these villages experience a dip in food consumption of about $.38 per adult per week during the “hungry season”, the annual period before the harvest when food is most scarce. The study showed that in participating villages, this dip was essentially eliminated.

Food security, when combined with assets promotes resilience in families and communities. The study showed that the value of livestock held by households in participating villages increased by 13% compared to families in villages without the program. “Livestock are a critical safety net for families. The animals are a form of savings that can be sold in hard times. Imagine if your home value or stock portfolio increased by 13% - it could be game-changing for your family,” said Hollingworth.

The study is unique in that it combines findings from a randomized controlled trial in 500 villages, conducted by Innovations for Poverty Action, with an ethnographic case study conducted in 19 villages by the Bureau of Applied Research in Anthropology at the University of Arizona. By blending these approaches, Oxfam America and Freedom from Hunger were able to identify statistically significant impacts of the program as well as understand the context and complicated village dynamics. The research took place from 2009 to 2012. The size and duration make this the most comprehensive study to explore the impacts of savings groups to date.

The research compares villages with the program to those without the program. In participating villages, 30-40% of women joined Saving for Change groups. Despite this, the results were significant, pointing to additional potential since the reported results include women who did not join, but live in participating villages.

“The impact of this program on savings, loans, livestock and food security is positive outcome we all need to share,” added Offenheiser, who will to deliver this message at next week’s Bretton Woods Committee conference at the International Monetary Fund in Washington.

Additional Evaluation Findings

• Housing quality improved in participating villages. Families living under hard metal roofs, as opposed to wood and mud roofs, increased by 11%.
• The number of women taking loans increased.  Women took more loans from their savings groups and fewer loans from family and friends.  Taking loans from men outside their families is considered shameful for Malian women so being able to take loans from their all-women savings group is empowering.
• Malaria knowledge, including how to prevent the disease, improved in participating villages.
• Program impacts were shown to be greater in villages where replicators received a 3-day training and low-cost pictorial guide, thus making the case for structured replication training as a cost-effective investment.

Raymond Offenheiser will speak on May 15 on a panel at the 30th anniversary annual meeting of the Bretton Woods Committee, entitled, “Can the IFIs, Business, Government, and Society End Poverty in a Generation?” For more information regarding this event, contact Helen DaSilva, hdasilva@oxfamamerica.org or 617-331-2984.

The complete evaluation can be downloaded at www.oxfamamerica.org/SfC or www.freedomfromhunger.org.

Nearly seven million people require humanitarian assistance in Syria. Another 1.4 million seeking refuge in neighboring countries are in desperate need of shelter, food, and water. More than half of them are children.

The United States and Russia have both expressed their support for a political process to put an end to the conflict, with Russia envisioning a dialogue involving all sides, and the Obama Administration repeatedly emphasizing the responsibility of international leaders to support the political process. Secretary Kerry's remarks yesterday noted "significant common interests with respect to Syria" and Foreign Minister Lavrov "confirmed [Russia's] commitment to the negotiating process." The day concluded with Kerry and Lavrov agreeing to pursue an international conference on ending the conflict in Syria sometime in the next month.

Noah Gottschalk, Senior Humanitarian Policy Advisor for Oxfam, said:

"By aligning their priorities, two of the world's most powerful countries can facilitate a political solution in Syria. The United States and Russia must build on these talks to increase international diplomatic efforts to achieve a ceasefire and ensure humanitarian aid can reach those in need. Both countries must also commit to an embargo on arms transfers to all sides, and cooperate to ensure it is enforced. The announced international conference is a promising step forward, but this commitment must be honored. There are no easy answers to ending this complex crisis, and increased high-level diplomacy is crucial.

"As an aid organization struggling to keep up with the needs of ever-increasing numbers of Syrian refugees in Jordan and Lebanon, Oxfam has seen firsthand the devastating toll this conflict is taking on civilians. Millions of Syrians are homeless and struggling to meet their basic needs.

"The status quo is simply unacceptable. Prolonged conflict will result in more death, displacement and suffering, and threatens to destabilize the region. Increasing transfers of weapons will fuel further violence and human rights abuses, and could spark an arms race with deadly consequences. Our leaders cannot stand by and watch this happen, much less fuel the conflict. The United States, Russia, and the rest of the international community must come together to demand a political process that benefits all Syrians and an immediate end to the bloodshed."

"Oxfam America is grateful to the Hewlett Foundation for supporting our efforts to expand our work on making government finances in developing countries more transparent and accountable to citizens," said Raymond C. Offenheiser, president of Oxfam America. "We will work aggressively to improve the effectiveness of governments to use revenues from foreign aid, oil, gas and mining for poverty alleviation. And Oxfam will continue to shine a bright light on the current lack of transparency and accountability that perpetuates cycles of poverty and inequality in developing nations around the world."

The public finance transparency agenda has gained significant momentum and there will soon be much more information in the public domain concerning government resource flows – whether from aid, extractive industries, or internally generated funds – than there has been in the past.  The promise of transparency must be translated into real gains for the poor through accountable management of government finances.

“Transparency is simply the first step in moving towards accountability,” continued Offenheiser. “Change rarely happens unless national civil society organizations, citizens, journalists, parliamentarians and watchdog groups have the political space and capacity to promote public accountability.”

More than 1.5 billion people live on less than two dollars a day in resource-rich countries and in many cases resource wealth has fueled corruption, mismanagement, conflict and the violations of the rights of communities living on or near these resources. Since the late 1990’s, Oxfam America has been a leader on addressing extractive industries issues – once obscure on the international development agenda. Its Extractive Industries Global Program is rooted in deep relationships with local partners in 13 countries and drives policy change through local-global research, advocacy and campaigning strategies. The Hewlett Foundation grant will enable Oxfam to expand its program by increasing staff levels, program activities and impact. Through a new Center for Strategic Support on Extractive Industries Oxfam America (in collaboration with Oxfam Australia) will increase its support to other Oxfam affiliates starting work on the mining and oil sectors and make new investments in field office capacity focused on national government accountability.

The grant will also support Oxfam America’s Aid Effectiveness program, which campaigns to transform US foreign aid into a model that places citizens and governments of developing countries in the driver’s seat of their own developments. Since 2007, Oxfam has worked to build a deep base of field research, a strong policy reputation in Washington, partnerships with civil society leaders and government officials in developing countries, and an informed group of supporters in key congressional districts across the country. The Hewlett Foundation grant will help the program to advocate for increasing the quantity and quality of US foreign aid and ensure that it is more accountable to citizens in developing countries.

/ENDS

Oxfam America is an international relief and development organization that creates lasting solutions to poverty, hunger, and injustice. Together with individuals and local groups in over 90 countries, Oxfam saves lives, helps people overcome poverty, and fights for social justice. Oxfam America is an affiliate of Oxfam. To join our efforts or learn more, go to www.oxfamamerica.org

“Oxfam is concerned about reports that the Obama administration is preparing to send lethal support including weapons to Syrian opposition. In the absence of political solutions to the conflict, such support seriously risks further fueling violence and human rights abuses in Syria and sparking an arms race with deadly consequences for people in the region.”

“Millions of people are suffering, but providing more weapons will mean prolonged fighting and more civilian deaths, more long-term damage to infrastructure and the economy, and greater poverty in Syria. Instead, the United States and international community should focus on increasing diplomatic outreach, demonstrating to all sides the imperative of reaching a political solution.  

“Rather than providing arms, more international aid and improved humanitarian access is critical in the immediate term to reach all of those affected, including the 1.4 million refugees and nearly seven million in need inside Syria. Instead of adding fuel to the fire, President Obama should bring together other leaders to demand a political process that will ensure an equitable future for all Syrians.”

Oxfam’s online catalog at oxfamgifts.com offers a range of products that can have a positive impact in the lives of mothers and their families.  There are over 70 products to choose from for between $12 and $5,000 that will improve the lives of mothers and their children. You can help train a midwife ($150) working in rural communities to enable mothers to give their children the best possible start in life; buy a dozen chicks ($45) to produce food and income for a family; or help restore a preschool ($35) to working order and provide a safe learning environment for children.

“Mother’s Day is an opportunity to thank moms in our lives for dedication to their children,” said Stephanie Kurzina, vice president for development and communications at Oxfam America.  “What better way to say ‘thank-you’ than with a unique and meaningful gift that will help other families around the world overcome poverty and injustice.”

Oxfam America’s Unwrapped catalog offers items that symbolically represent the organization’s lifesaving work, and each purchase is a contribution toward Oxfam’s many programs that help people living in poverty throughout the world.  All gift contributions are general donations to support Oxfam America’s mission to right the wrongs of poverty, hunger, and injustice in over 90 countries around the world. Gifts are fully tax-deductible.  For more information, visit oxfamgifts.com.

Note to media: Camera-ready art and Oxfam America spokespeople are available to the press.

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Oxfam America is a global organization working to right the wrongs of poverty, hunger, and injustice.  We save lives, develop long-term solutions to poverty, and campaign for social change.  As one of 17 members of the international Oxfam confederation, we work with people in more than 90 countries to create lasting solutions.

With nearly 7 million people in need of humanitarian help inside Syria, the organisation is calling on the UN Security Council to help improve humanitarian access by using its influence to urge the Syrian Government and opposition groups to help ensure aid reaches those most in need. This could mean allowing aid to cross lines of control within Syria as well as borders with neighboring countries, such as Jordan, Lebanon, and Turkey.  

"The situation is desperate for so many and made even more severe by restrictions on access,” said Raymond C. Offenheiser, President of Oxfam America. “As a result, the world risks failing the people of Syria when they most need our help. Restrictions on access violate the rights of vulnerable people who aren’t getting the support that they need.”

Oxfam is using its decades of humanitarian experience in some of the most difficult environments in the world to develop its emergency response to the crisis unfolding in Syria. Concern is growing about the impact of the two-year conflict on water and sanitation facilities, in particular, because of its effect on people’s health and risk of disease.

In addition, Oxfam is calling for the needs of the 1.3 million Syrian refugees now living in neighboring countries to be fully met.

In a new briefing note released today, called Overtaken By Need, Oxfam says that three months after $1.5 billion was pledged for the UN’s six-month appeal, just over half of the money has been received, much of it from Gulf countries. The United States’ contribution has been $385 million. They must continue to support the needs in Syria and the region and encourage other countries to increase their response. Refugee numbers have doubled in the first three months of the year, and Oxfam warns that similar or even higher levels of funding will be required for the response in the future as the humanitarian catastrophe worsens.

Funds are particularly short for some organizations - including Oxfam - working with Syrian refugees in neighboring countries.

“The aid effort on the borders needs to be scaled up significantly. A massive increase in humanitarian assistance is required. But we fear that instead of being stepped up, aid will soon decline and bring even greater challenges,” said Offenheiser.

In Jordan’s Za’atari refugee camp increased numbers of arrivals mean facilities are stretched to the limit. Oxfam has installed toilets, showers and laundry areas to help 20,610 people in part of the camp, but the organization hopes to do more. 

There are concerns that failure to respond fully to the humanitarian emergency could have serious consequences on stability across the wider region. Countries that have generously provided help for Syrian refugees, such as Jordan and Lebanon, are already feeling the economic and social strains of hosting such large numbers and need much greater international assistance.

Lebanon is now hosting more than 440,000 Syrian men, women, and children, which is more than 10 percent of their population. In the United States, that would be the equivalent of 30 million people, more than the population of Texas. There have already been riots over poor living conditions and shortages of aid given in refugee camps in Jordan and Turkey. In Jordan, Oxfam is exploring how best to help the vulnerable refugees living outside the camp and in host communities over the next few months.

“When refugees arrive in Jordan and Lebanon they are traumatized and fearful for the future. As the needs of Syrians increase, so must the response,” said Offenheiser. “The future will be very bleak for people affected by this crisis unless they get more support.”

The lawsuit, filed by the American Petroleum Institute, the US Chamber of Commerce and two trade groups in October, was dismissed on jurisdictional grounds – an argument only Oxfam America, an intervenor in the case, made to the court.

“The court’s decision to dismiss the case on jurisdictional grounds is a victory for transparency supporters, investors and citizens in resource-rich countries,” said Ian Gary, senior policy manager of Oxfam America’s oil, gas and mining program. “The case will likely go forward in the district court, but we believe the facts and arguments are on the SEC’s side. A comprehensive review of the record will show the hollowness of industry arguments.”

"The D.C. Circuit agreed with Oxfam that Congress, and not API, decides which court has the power to hear a case,” said Jonathan Kaufman, counsel for Oxfam at EarthRights International. “We're prepared to defend the transparency rules in the district court, where this case belongs."

Oxfam argued in its brief that API’s claims are without merit and that the SEC sensibly dismissed most of them in its final rule. Regarding oil industry claims that the statute violates the First Amendment, Oxfam argued that oil companies have “no constitutional right to keep payments to foreign governments secret.”

After the ruling, SEC spokesman John Nester said that "SEC staff continue to believe that our legal interpretation and economic analysis are sound and that this congressionally-mandated rule will be affirmed.”

Now that the European Union has agreed on similar payment disclosure rules, the industry should give up its fight against increasing transparency in the sector. Statoil, the Norwegian oil giant operating in places such as Angola, has said that it “has explicitly withheld support for the litigation” in the US.

“Global momentum is overtaking the API case,” said Gary. “It’s time for oil companies, such as Exxon, Chevron, BP and Shell, to embrace the tide of transparency and join Statoil in disassociating themselves from this groundless lawsuit.”

A bi-partisan group of members and former members of Congress, such as Senators Ben Cardin (D-MD), Carl Levin (D-MI), retired Senator Richard Lugar (R-IN) and Reps. Maxine Waters (D-CA) and Ed Markey (D-MA) also submitted arguments to defend the law, known as the Cardin-Lugar provision or Section 1504 of the Dodd-Frank Act.

API can “point to no evidence that the final rule would actually conflict with the existing laws of any foreign country. Absent that evidence, there is no practical basis even to consider an exemption,” stated the Senate brief.

According to Harmonised, as many as two thirds of people from the three northern regions of Mali (Gao, Timbuktu and Kidal) are already living in crisis levels of food insecurity, and some parts of Kidal are already at emergency levels.

Markets surveys carried out recently by Action Against Hunger (ACF), Solidarités International, Welthungerhilfe and Oxfam, operating in these regions, show that prices for some basic foods have spiralled since January 2013, increasing by up to 36 percent in the Gao region, 30 pe cent in the Timbuktu region, and 25 percent in the Kidal region. In Kidal, an area where 94 percent of households have to buy their food from local markets, two thirds of the traders who would normally supply the markets have left and trade flows of cereals have fallen by 60 percent. The markets of Timbuktu and Goundam are also not well supplied with staples.

The ‘lean’ season – when food stocks run low before the next harvest – has started early this year. Herders have not been able to use traditional pastures and water points. At the same time, the value of livestock, particularly cattle and goats, has fallen, making it even harder for pastoralists to buy enough cereals. Alternative employment opportunities are rare and daily labour wages have fallen. In Gao, a day’s work earned about $2.50 this time last year, but today that figure stands at between $1.50 and $2.00, affecting households' purchasing power.

This worrying situation is mainly due to the consequences of the conflict – including roads being closed or inaccessible, the closure of the Algerian border, and the departure of many traders – added to poor production systems and poor agricultural infrastructure, predating the crisis.

“While international attention is focused on the UN peacekeeping mission, we risk losing sight of the current alarming humanitarian situation. Parents are already skipping meals in order to feed their children. People in the north will not be able to find enough food to feed their families through the months ahead before the next harvest,” said Philippe Conraud, Oxfam Country Director in Mali. “It is vital that we act before the food situation reaches a point of no return.”

According to the Harmonised Framework, the humanitarian assistance planned to date will not cover all the needs. This is due to several priority areas being critically underfunded. As of April 24, 2013, the UN emergency appeal for Mali had only received $106 million of the full amount. There are also difficulties accessing some areas due to the presence of armed groups; operations by Malian, African and French forces; banditry; and the presence of mines and other non-exploded ordinance.

Action Against Hunger (ACF), Solidarités International, Welthungerhilfe and Oxfam are calling on the international community and donors to scale up assistance to the most vulnerable. The four organizations recommend scaling up assistance on food, livelihoods, water and sanitation, nutrition, protection and improvement of access to water and health, and resilience building.

Notes:

• The five phases of food insecurity according to the Harmonised Framework are:  Phase 1: Minimal food insecurity; Phase 2: Stressed; Phase 3: Crisis; Phase 4: Emergency; Phase 5: Famine.
• The Permanent Interstate Committee for Drought Control in the Sahel (Comité permanent Inter-Etats de Lutte contre la Sécheresse dans le Sahel, CILSS) developed the Harmonised Framework (Cadre Harmonisé) in the early 2000s. It is mandated to analyse the food security situation. Action Against Hunger, Solidarités International, Welthungerhilfe and Oxfam participated in the Harmonised Framework meetings in Bamako in late March 2013. Around 40 stakeholders were involved in the meetings including government, civil society, non-governmental organisations and international agencies.  Experts analysed current data on food security and produced maps on current situation and projected situation in June 2013 .
• Between 26 to 65 percent of the population, depending on the regions in northern Mali, are currently under threat of crisis levels of food insecurity according to the Harmonised Framework.
• Underfunded priority sectors are food security and livelihoods, water, sanitation, hygiene, protection, education and health and support to livelihoods. The Consolidated Appeal Process (CAP) for Mali is only funded at $106 million of the total $410 million requested, while $90 million has contributed to projects outside this Appeal.

Oxfam is calling for level funding for key anti-poverty programs, such as Feed the Future and the Millennium Challenge Corporation, and support of reforms to America’s food aid programs that would help reach millions more people with life-saving aid at no additional costs to the American taxpayer.

“In his proposed budget, President Obama has not only supported global anti-poverty programs that literally save lives, he has also proposed  long overdue reforms to bring our food aid system into the 21^st century,” said Paul O’Brien, vice president of policy and campaigns at Oxfam America. “The proposed reforms have already received positive reviews from Members of Congress on both sides of the aisle. Congress must fund these life-saving programs and move forward on common sense reforms to the food aid program.”

The United States is the world’s most generous donor of food aid, but numerous studies by the Government Accountability Office among others have shown that the system for delivering that aid is plagued by inefficiencies and waste. President Obama’s proposal would cut red tape, strip away needless regulations and allow humanitarian responders greater flexibly in emergencies, such as purchasing food from local or regional sources. Although a number of aid agencies, including Oxfam, are supporting this reform, special interests in Washington who profit from the current system are already trying to block President Obama’s proposal.

“Members of Congress who want to pursue fiscal responsibility should be the first to back the President’s efforts to modernize our aid programs, especially food aid,” said O’Brien. “The President’s proposal will get food to more hungry people faster, cheaper and more efficiently.”

The reform of US-funded food assistance programs is part of a wider effort on the part of President Obama’s Administration to modernize development assistance so that it’s more efficient and truly delivers in the fight against poverty. Other reforms, such as Implementation and Procurement Reform, are rooted in the recognition that there’s tremendous value in the power of local people to decide how aid is spent, and how to execute and lead their own development efforts in partnership with the US.

Despite coming under fire from vested interests in Washington, reforms already put in place by the Obama Administration are making waves on the ground in developing countries. Findings from a survey conducted by Oxfam America with citizens, civil society representatives, businesspeople and public officials in seven US aid recipient countries reveal that such reforms are making a difference and are getting noticed. Over 83% of respondents surveyed by Oxfam call US a better development partner than five years ago.

“New policies that are pushing the US government to invest more in locally defined development priorities have already demonstrated to achieve more sustainable results in the fight against poverty,” said O’Brien. "Congress must now deepen and accelerate reforms, while continuing to support the small but critically important parts of our country’s budget to save lives, help people lift themselves out of poverty, spur economic growth, and make the world a better and safer place.”

/ENDS

Oxfam America is an international relief and development organization that creates lasting solutions to poverty, hunger, and injustice. Together with individuals and local groups in over 90 countries, Oxfam saves lives, helps people overcome poverty, and fights for social justice. Oxfam America is an affiliate of Oxfam. To join our efforts or learn more, go to www.oxfamamerica.org

• Conduct and publish impact assessments by third party organizations on women in their cocoa supply chains in order to understand and show how women are faring. The company will begin by publishing impact assessments in Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire in 2014.
• Put in place a specific action plan by April 1, 2014 that will address issues raised by the assessments and lead to the improvement of poor conditions in Ghana and Cote D’Ivoire.  By 2018 Mondelēz International will publish action plans for the Cocoa Life program’s top four origin countries. Oxfam expects that these action plans will deliver better capacity towards a sustainable livelihood to women farmers and workers.
• Sign onto the UN Women's Empowerment Principles by April 26, 2013. These principles demonstrate the company’s  commitment at the CEO level to the empowerment of women across their entire operations by among other things being willing to measure and publicly report on gender equity. Mondelēz International is the first of the three major chocolate companies to sign onto the principles.
• Engage with other powerful actors in the cocoa industry to develop sector-wide programs to address gender inequality. Mondelēz International will work with industry sector organizations like the World Cocoa Foundation and certification schemes like Rainforest Alliance and Fairtrade to advocate for greater focus on women’s equality.

“This latest commitment shows that no company is too big to listen to its customers. Three of the biggest food giants in the world are changing how they operate because consumers have demanded it,” Beals said

“We hope that the steps taken by Mars, Mondelēz International and Nestle offer an example to the rest of the food and beverage industry that consumers are paying attention to how companies impact the communities they work in. All the large food and beverage companies can and should take basic steps, like signing the UN Women’s Empowerment Principles or they will face increasing questions from their customers.

“Leaders at each and every food company should look at how they are operating and ask themselves whether they are truly contributing to building a world where everyone has enough nutritious food to eat. It is time for companies to get off the starting blocks and compete in a race to the top.”

The Behind the Brands campaign will continue to highlight areas where companies are not living up to their responsibilities to communities. New actions launch later in 2013.

Specifics on the commitments from all three companies can be seen at:
Mondelēz International: http://www.mondelezinternational.com/MediaCenter/index.aspx
Mars: http://cocoasustainability.com/2013/03/mars-chocolate-and-oxfam-america-agree-to-intentional-approach-to-empower-women/
Nestle: http://www.nestle.com/csv/responsible-sourcing/women

/ENDS

Notes to editors:
1. Oxfam’s investigation into inequality for women in cocoa supply chains is available at: http://www.oxfamamerica.org/publications/mars-mondelez-and-nestle-and-the-fight-for-women2019s-rights
2. Oxfam’s Behind the Brands ranking of food and beverage companies is available at www.behindthebrands.org