The President’s budget proposed level funding for key anti-poverty programs, such as Feed the Future, the Millennium Challenge Corporation, while pushing forward reforms of America’s food aid programs that would help feed possibly millions more people with no additional costs to the American taxpayer. The budget release comes as Oxfam America prepares to unveil findings from a field survey that shows marked improvements in US development efforts on the ground.
“President Obama is walking the talk by supporting key global anti-poverty programs, while also taking an important step towards long overdue reforms to bring food aid into the 21st century,” said Paul O’Brien, vice president of policy and campaigns at Oxfam America. “Now it’s up to Congress to fund these life-saving programs and take up common sense reforms of the food aid program; first to assist hungry people, second to honor taxpayers.”
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 allow humanitarian responders more flexibly, such as purchasing food from local or regional sources. This shift, if passed by Congress, would allow US aid to reach millions more people with life-saving aid at no additional cost to American taxpayers. Although 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.
“Those in Washington who are interested in fiscally responsibility should throw their full support behind the President’s leadership 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. Congress should quickly turn the proposal into law.”
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.
“The Obama Administration is recognizing 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,” continued 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.”
]]>Similar to the recently passed US “Cardin-Lugar” provision or Section 1504 of the Dodd-Frank Act, the European directive goes further by requiring both public and privately-held companies to disclose their payments. Like the US law, companies will be required to disclose payments, such as taxes and royalties, above 100,000 Euros for individual projects in every country of operation.
“With the US law covering the vast majority of internationally operating oil companies and world’s largest mining companies along with the European rules covering even more companies, the transparency net will be cast far and wide,” said Ian Gary, senior policy manager of Oxfam America’s oil, gas and mining program. “This is a huge victory for citizens living in resource rich countries. We applaud Europe’s leaders and Members of the European Parliament for not caving under oil industry lobbying efforts to water down the rules.”
In the US, an oil industry lawsuit was filed against the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to overturn the rules promulgated by the regulatory agency last August. Oxfam has intervened in the lawsuit on the side of the SEC and the US Court of Appeals heard oral arguments in the case on March 22.
As in the US, EU regulators and political leaders were not convinced of any host country prohibitions against disclosing this payment information. Like the SEC rule, the EU agreed directive does not allow for any company exemptions to the payment disclosure requirement.
"The strong law in the US and the EU requirements agreed today show that payment transparency has already become a global norm,” said Gary. “Oil companies should join citizens in resource-rich countries, investors, and energy consumers in embracing transparency, rather than seeking to turn back the tide through litigation."
The EU directive and the US law will complement the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, a set of principles adopted by some countries under which governments publicly disclose their revenues from oil, gas and mining projects, and companies make parallel disclosures regarding payments they make to host government for accessing publicly owned resources.
]]>The report, Human Rights and Social Conflict in the Oil, Gas, and Mining Industries, aims to help NHRI’s evaluate their effectiveness by providing a framework to analyze their successes and shortcomings in addressing human rights abuses around oil, gas and mining projects. NHRI’s have been internationally recognized human rights actors since 1993, when the United Nations adopted what are known as the Paris Principles to help establish human rights norms at the national level. To date, there are 99 of these institutions globally.
“The growing popularity of National Human Rights Institutions in the last decade is a positive sign that governments are beginning to think about human rights at the national level,” said Emily Greenspan, senior policy advisory with Oxfam America’s oil, gas and mining program. “It’s now time for governments to give these institutions teeth in order to play a more active role in preventing human rights abuses and to respond quickly and effectively when these abuses do occur.”
From Peru to Ghana, controversies surrounding oil, gas and mining projects have in many instances erupted into social conflict and violence. While some NHRI’s have been successful at mitigating violence around oil, gas and mining projects, there is significant room for improvement, according to the report.
The research finds that these institutions tend to face many obstacles, such as inadequate funding or lack of independence from a political party. Oxfam highly recommends that governments and civil society take advantage of the evaluation criteria presented in the report to measure the weaknesses and strengths of their country’s human rights institution.
“In the context of the extractive industries, NHRIs have the potential to play a critical role in preventing human rights abuses,” said Greenspan. “Governments should invest adequate resources to enable these institutions to perform effectively. At the same time, NHRIs should ensure that they coordinate closely with civil society and oil and mining companies, and most importantly with project-affected communities.”
For example, the case study on Ghana highlighted in the report finds that its human rights institution -- Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) -- should improve communications with communities affected by oil, gas and mining operations. Furthermore, CHRAJ needs to educate community members of their rights, how extractive projects may violate their rights and how they can seek remedy if these rights are violated.
“As the report highlights, CHRAJ should develop a strategy for creating a dialogue with local communities in order to take a more proactive approach to preventing human rights abuses in the mining and emerging oil sectors,” said Augustine Niber, executive director of the Ghana-based Center for Public Interest Law.
“If CHRAJ and other NHRIs begin to effectively and proactively engage with project-affected communities in preventing human rights abuses and conflict, local communities, oil and mining companies, and host governments will all benefit.”
Notes to Editor:
- Webcast of the report launch can be viewed here.
]]>Ten years after the conflict began, 1.4 million people are living in internal displacement camps and receiving food aid and 3.4 million, half the population of Darfur, require some form of humanitarian assistance. As a result, life in this region has completely changed.
“The path to recovery is not a paved one, not yet. Measures must be taken by donors to ensure that monies already pledged are channeled in the right direction. We must bridge emergency relief to recovery and development in Darfur, but with proper planning, the active participation of concerned populations, stability on the ground, and transparency throughout the process,” said Sara Musa, Oxfam’s Regional Director in Khartoum.
“Focusing on achieving a lasting peace will help ensure a smooth recovery process. Involvement and inclusion of the people of Darfur is critical and cannot be forgotten.”
Continued displacement in several parts of Darfur remains a challenge to recovery and development in Darfur. As some donors have already pledged contributions, mechanisms for managing these funds are essential. An adequate assessment on the ground is imperative before any implementation takes place. Now that the conference is over, questions of where, how, and by whom these funds are used must be immediately addressed.
“As the conference concludes, timing is critical for recovery and development in Darfur. The next steps are crucial, and no steps can be taken unless citizens are an active part of the peace process. Donors, authorities, and the international community must be accountable to the affected populations when planning and providing aid or we will continue to have this conversation every year as communities continue to suffer,” said Musa.
]]>According to the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, the majority of Syrian refugees in Jordan live in urban areas, outside of formal camp settings. Aid organizations say it makes it harder for them to access vital help as the refugee population is widely dispersed in Jordan’s cities and towns.
Assessments carried out in host communities in Jordan by aid organizations Oxfam and CARE International have found that refugees are facing increased debt as they struggle to pay for soaring rent and rising costs for food, water, and other basic essentials.
Many refugees in urban areas of Jordan are living in unheated or unfurnished apartments or garages, which are often overcrowded, with as many as twenty people, normally from extended family groups, sharing two or three rooms.
Geoffrey Dennis, chief executive of CARE International UK said: “The refugee crisis in urban areas is far less visible, but no less serious, than in the refugee camps. No matter where refugees seek shelter, we must ensure that they do not continue suffering.”
The Jordanian government is to be commended for keeping its border open and providing assistance for the refugees, despite severely strained resources. Jordanian host communities have also been extremely generous, but tensions are starting to arise because of the increase in refugee numbers and mounting pressure on limited services.
Syrian refugees have access to primary health care and schooling in Jordan, but often the available services are already stretched to the limit or far from their homes. Rental prices have gone up two to three times in the last year and there’s also been an increase in food and gas prices.
Oxfam’s Syria response crisis manager, Francis Lacasse, said: “Syrian refugees in host communities urgently need help. As long as they have no access to income, their problems will only multiply. People are already running out of money for rent and basic needs; refugees are taking loans from each other, but soon there will be nothing left for them to borrow.”
“Families will be forced to desperate measures to get by; many are already obliged to beg for food. They are deeply ashamed to do this, but they have no choice.”
The number of refugees fleeing Syria into Jordan has surged since the beginning of the year. More than 367,000 have sought registration with the UNHCR although the Jordanian government estimates the total figure is as high as 420,000.
Research by the aid organizations shows that average level of debt among urban refugees is $650, which represents about three months' rent.
Oxfam is increasing its response, planning to provide cash assistance to some of the most vulnerable populations in Jordan and support both host families and refugees with water.
To support Oxfam’s work assisting Syrian refugees, please click here.
]]>Over two dozen voices – economists, faith leaders, journalists, advocates, and former military leaders – open a national conversation with bold perspectives on how Americans must work together to come up with new solutions to the huge and growing problems of poverty and low-wage work. Americans are urged to join the conversation, and share their stories and ideas through oxfamamerica.org/voices and social media.
“More than 100 million Americans live in or near poverty, struggling every day to make ends meet,” said Offenheiser. “America has long presented itself to the world as the model of successful, inclusive growth that lifts millions into the middle class. While that was true during the decades after World War II, it is simply no longer the case.”
America’s poverty rate is now at its highest level in two generations, and many Americans are in jobs that do not pay a living wage. Fifty million Americans live on incomes below the federal poverty level ($11,722 for an individual and $23,497 for a family of four) and another 50 million are in near poverty, with incomes less than twice the poverty threshold. Most of these people work, earning wages of less than $14 an hour. Children bear a huge burden, with 44 percent of them in or near poverty.
“As a global anti-poverty organization, we believe poverty is about power, not scarcity,” continued Offenheiser. “It’s time to tackle this injustice head on. We need a robust national conversation about how we can right this wrong.”
Voices on US Poverty seeks to bring issues of economic and social justice into the national debate about the future of the country. Oxfam America will post all the essays on the website (oxfamamerica.org/voices), publish them in a booklet, and host an event in Washington, DC, in May.
]]>“The Arms Trade Treaty provides a powerful alternative to the body bag approach currently used to respond to humanitarian crises and mass loss of life,” said Raymond C. Offenheiser, president of Oxfam America. “Over the long-term, the Arms Trade Treaty will change how countries engage in the arms trade by requiring exporters to take human rights seriously.”
After six years of diplomatic negotiations, and more than 10 years of campaigning from civil society, governments at the United Nations voted for the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) by a resounding majority (154 votes YES – 3 votes NO, 23 Abstentions). The treaty enshrines in new international law a set of clear rules for all international transfers of arms and ammunitions.
“At last we have a legally binding international treaty that will regulate the world’s deadliest business,” said Anna Macdonald, Oxfam’s Head of Arms Control. “The agreement of the Arms Trade Treaty sends a clear message to arms dealers who supply war lords and dictators that their time is up. They will no longer be able to operate and arm themselves with impunity.”
The vote at the UN General Assembly was held just five days after Iran, North Korea and Syria blocked the Treaty’s adoption by consensus in a tense session on the last day of the Final Conference on the ATT.
The Treaty will create binding obligations for governments to assess all arms transfers against the risk that weapons will be used for human rights abuses, terrorism, transnational organized crime or violations of humanitarian law. It will require governments to refuse any transfers of weapons if there is a major risk countries would use them to violate human rights or commit war crimes.
"The Obama administration deserves a lot of credit for ensuring throughout the negotiations that the treaty completely bans all arms transfers that exporters know will be used for genocide and other human rights crimes," said Offenheiser. "The President must now lead by example by signing this treaty as soon as it opens for signature in June."
Oxfam is calling on all states that have supported the treaty to prioritize signing and implementing the treaty to the highest possible standards. The agency said that all governments must commit to passing the necessary national legislation in order to bring the treaty into force as soon as possible.
]]>Oxfam, a leading member of the Control Arms Coalition, says the historic treaty is still within reach but that proceedings were delayed today when a handful of skeptical states used their veto power against the huge majority of states that want to see a treaty passed. The United States joined Kenya and 11 other states to call for the UN General Assembly to adopt the Treaty by vote as soon as possible.
“We are disappointed that North Korea, Syria, and Iran blocked agreement, for at least today, on a treaty that would save millions of people who suffer from armed violence every day,” said Raymond C. Offenheiser, president of Oxfam America. “Despite their actions, rogue arms dealers and war criminals should not celebrate. The treaty will become a reality when it goes to the UN General Assembly for a vote next week.”
Countries will mostly likely vote next week, when Ambassador Peter Woolcott, president of the Conference, presents his report. It’s widely anticipated the treaty will pass by a majority of states, enshrining in international law for the first time ever, a set of rules to regulate the global arms trade.
“We are determined to ensure this treaty will become a reality – it’s just a matter of time,” said Anna Macdonald, Oxfam’s Head of Arms Control. “We believe the fight for an Arms Trade Treaty is almost over and we are close to the start of a new era. We have a clear message for human rights abusers and gunrunners – your time is nearly up.”
While the United States originally called for the negotiations to occur on the basis of consensus, it has now made clear that it is ready to support the current treaty.
"We applaud the Obama administration for standing on the right side of history and joining with other countries to call for a vote on the treaty at the General Assembly as soon as possible," said Offenheiser."This treaty will save lives and completely ban arms shipments that will be used to commit the horrors of genocide, war crimes, and deliberate attacks on civilians. The world must not rest until it is adopted."
]]>Specifics on the two companies’ commitments can be seen here:
Nestlé: http://www.nestle.com/csv/ruraldevelopment/women
“We applaud Mars and Nestle’s leadership in making these commitments,” said Woodhead. “But only actions can create real and lasting change. We will continue to hold both companies to account and expect them to keep their promises.
“We now call on Mondelez to address their impacts on hunger and poverty. Women in Mondelez’s supply chain continue to be paid less than men, face discrimination and unfair conditions. Executives at the company should ask themselves if they are truly doing enough. Are they willing to continue with business as usual as these conditions persist? Consumers and investors will apply greater pressure if Mondelez continues to stand back and let their competitors lead the way.”
/ENDS
Notes to editors:
1. Oxfam’s petition targeting Mars, Mondelez and Nestle is available at: www.behindthebrands.org/actnow
2. 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
3. Oxfam’s Behind the Brands ranking of food and beverage companies is available at www.behindthebrands.org
An amendment introduced by Senator James Inhofe (R-OK) and passed by the Senate last night is a token for the NRA's scorecard by inaccurately claiming that the Arms Trade Treaty is a threat to the 2nd Amendment. It undermines the vital conversations occurring in New York this week to finalize this critical international agreement. The treaty being negotiated addresses the international trade in conventional weapons and explicitly excludes issues of domestic firearm use, sale, or manufacture. The American Bar Association, in a white paper released last month, confirms that the treaty is compatible with the US Constitution, including the Second Amendment.
In fact, prior to Mr. Inhofe’s amendment, an amendment introduced by Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT) was passed that made it clear that treaties cannot override the Constitution.
“Senator Leahy is right. No treaty can override the Bill of Rights and Congress is not allowed to spend funds on activities that contravene such rights,” said Scott Stedjan, senior policy advisor at Oxfam America. “We thank Senator Leahy for his quick action last night and call on other Senators to ignore the rumors and gross mischaracterizations spread through Congress by the pro-gun lobby.
"The Inhofe amendment against the Arms Trade Treaty is not only a disservice to the American people but also to the millions of people suffering from armed violence fueled by the irresponsible and illicit global arms trade," said Stedjan. "The Senators who voted in favor of the Inhofe amendment, and those who are co-sponsoring a similar resolution in the Senate, clearly have not read the treaty being negotiated. If they had they would know that the treaty establishes trade standards similar to existing US export control law and does not impact the 2nd Amendment.
"The Arms Trade Treaty will save lives and promote responsible arms trading standards around the world," said Stedjan. "Responsible Senators must stand up to the misinformation being spread in Congress about what this treaty will do."
]]>Section 1504, or the “Cardin-Lugar” provision, requires US and foreign oil, gas and mining companies reporting to the SEC to disclose annually the tax, royalty and other payments that they make to governments in every country where they do business. In October, the American Petroleum Institute (API) and three other business associations sued the SEC in an effort to overturn the law. The SEC denied an industry request to hold on implementation while the legal case proceeded, calling industry arguments “unpersuasive.”
“From Equatorial Guinea to the United States, the Cardin-Lugar amendment sheds a powerful light on the murky world of financial flows between oil and mining companies and governments,” said Ian Gary, senior policy manager of Oxfam America’s oil, gas and mining program. “Oil industry actions in this case show that they would rather keep investors and citizens in the dark than operate in a transparent and responsible manner.”
Among other arguments used against the rule, attorneys for API unveiled a new tactic by claiming that disclosures required by the final rule would violate oil companies’ First Amendment rights.
“There simply is no constitutional right to keep payments to governments secret," said Jonathan Kaufman, staff attorney at EarthRights International and co-counsel representing Oxfam America as intervenor in the lawsuit.
Kaufman also said that judges expressed skepticism that the case belonged in the Appeals Court in the first instance. “Not only is the oil industry trying to overturn the will of Congress, its arrogance extends to trying to get this case heard in a court where it doesn’t belong.”
“If the court agrees with the companies’ challenge, it could undermine the countless reporting statutes and regulations that require disclosure of information on corporate activities to the public,” continued Kaufman.
Global mining firms have refused to join the last ditch legal tactics employed by the oil industry and civil society groups from around the world have called on the oil industry to drop the lawsuit. Last month, the Norwegian global oil company Statoil, an API member, publicly disassociated themselves from the API lawsuit.
“I come from a country where voluntary transparency approaches simply haven’t worked,” said Tutu Alicante, executive director of EG Justice, an organization fighting for transparency and human rights in oil-rich Equatorial Guinea and a witness to today’s court proceedings. “This law will make sure that the billions of dollars paid by US and foreign firms to my government are fully transparent.”
“Oil companies that don’t have anything to hide should follow Statoil’s lead and stand up for what’s right,” said Gary. “If API’s overblown rhetoric regarding costs of compliance were true, Statoil would be using every available means to fight disclosure.”
]]>International relief and development organization Oxfam America praised USAID’s FORWARD Progress Report released today as an honest review of the reforms taken up by the agency to increase the effectiveness of America’s global poverty-fighting efforts.
In reaction, Gregory Adams, Oxfam America’s director of aid effectiveness made the following statement:
“The USAID FORWARD progress report shows the remarkable progress that USAID has made to improve the impact of America’s efforts to fight poverty. Oxfam’s own forthcoming research echoes these findings—that USAID’s reform progress has been significant and measureable, and that local partners are finding the US to be a better development partner. The USAID FORWARD reforms are working to enlist local leaders and citizens as partners in making sure American aid dollars deliver the greatest impact to fight poverty.
“The progress demonstrated in the report, especially on promoting sustainable development through high-impact partnerships demonstrates a commitment to ensuring that people are the leaders of their own development but also that the US is taking on the challenges of direct partnerships with local leaders in a careful, rational way. Our own forthcoming report will show that reforms are enabling USAID staff to find ways to work with community leaders in effective ways, and enabling governments to respond to local needs.
“While USAID FORWARD has made remarkable success, USAID and the United States government as a whole still have much more to do to make US assistance a better tool for helping fight poverty. The US needs to live up to its commitments to releasing more information about where and how aid is being spent, and put more USAID personnel and effort towards building direct relationships with governments, NGOs and entrepreneurs in developing countries. We hope that USAID will accelerate the pace of USAID FORWARD reforms, to cut out wasteful contracts and put more dollars directly in the hands of the people driving change in their own countries.”
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In a recent survey conducted between January and February 2013 in the circle of Bourem, an area in the Gao region where Oxfam carries out programs, the organization found that up to 80 percent of adults have reduced their daily food intake, in order to allow their children to eat at least twice a day. They have also had to reduce their daily food rations or share the food they received with neighbors or family members.
A separate market survey in the same area revealed that in January 2013 the price of basic food essentials went up by as much as 70 percent as a result of the military operation. By February, these abnormally high prices, far greater than the five year average, had still not stabilized. Oxfam‘s survey found that cereals like sorghum, millet, and corn are no longer available on the market. While the availability of certain cereals is now improving, the continued closure of the Algerian border is preventing access to other key products in the diet of northern Malians, such as pasta, oil, sugar, and rice.
Fuel shortages, rising fuels price, and conflict-related damage have also affected the water and electricity supply in Gao.
Military interventions carried out since the beginning of the year have led to road closures and the departure of traders, who have still not returned to the area. Furthermore, a large number of small traders, many of whom are women, lost their goods and cash in a fire in the Gao vegetable market during fighting in February. This trade was essential to allow the poorest households to buy food in the small quantities they were able to afford.
“In Gao, prices have increased dramatically and local rice is gone up by more than 50 percent since October last year. This is having a dramatic effect on the population. The banking system is completely disrupted and the population has very little cash available. They will find it difficult to meet their immediate needs if the situation doesn’t improve,” says Philippe Conraud, Oxfam Country Director in Mali.
Oxfam is calling on the humanitarian community and donors to mobilize and provide rapid assistance to those most in need. As of March 15, 2013, the UN’s emergency appeal for Mali had only received $56 million, just 17 percent of the total $386 million requested.
Oxfam is concerned that an overwhelming focus on the military intervention and operations is overshadowing urgent humanitarian and protection needs and calls on donors to step up their funding for key sectors such as food security, water, sanitation, protection, education, health, and sustainable livelihoods.
Oxfam needs more than $9 million for 2013 to be able to implement its humanitarian program in both the Gao and Segou region for the next six months. Oxfam is aiming to reach 70,000 people for support to livelihoods and food distributions. The latest food distribution was completed at the beginning of March.
]]>“Savings groups are an integral part of the financial landscape of the poor,” said Raymond C. Offenheiser, president of Oxfam America. “Already, there are 7.5 million people around the world reaping the benefits of savings groups through financial inclusion and social interaction. We hope to grow this number significantly in the coming years.”
Savings groups (SGs) provide access to basic financial services to 7.5 million rural poor people, mostly women, worldwide. These self-selected and self- managed groups provide their members with a secure place to save and easy access to loans. SGs stabilize income, increase household financial assets and decrease vulnerability to financial and other shocks. They are a simple, transparent, cost-effective and sustainable means of providing basic financial services to the poor and a great platform that can be leveraged to deliver the additional products, services and trainings the groups regularly request.
“Savings groups have quietly but surely become a force to be reckoned with when it comes to financial inclusion,” said Sophie Romana, deputy director for community finance at Oxfam America. “Thousands of groups bring crucial financial services to the poorest of the poor, allowing them to save in a safe place, borrow with confidence from their own group, and create social capital they can draw upon in times of crisis.”
The conference brought together foundations, financial service providers, bilateral and multilateral agencies, microfinance institutions, international and local nongovernment organizations, and practitioners to highlight the success of savings groups in expanding financial inclusion and creating social cohesion. In addition to partners and sponsors, experts from Aga Khan Foundation, CARE, Catholic Relief Services, Freedom from Hunger, Oxfam America, Plan International, and USAID participated in the discussion.
Note to Editors:
For more information on the conference please visit: www.oxfamamerica.org/sgconference
/ENDS
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.
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