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Central America, Mexico, and Caribbean

The CAMEXCA region—Central America, Mexico and the Caribbean—has a population of approximately 150 million people and an area of about 2.5 million square kilometers (1.55 square miles). The population is culturally and linguistically diverse, with over 100 indigenous groups, Afro-Caribbean, Caucasian, and mixed races. Political instability and poor governance, economic inequality, social disintegration and violence, and environmental vulnerability characterize the region’s socio-political and economic context.

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All across Central America, new leaders are emerging. Women, rural communities, and small farmers are raising their voices to defend their rights, improve their incomes, and protect their lands and livelihoods. Oxfam supports and strengthens these new leaders and their organizations.

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Tell Congress: No more secret payments!
A bill now in Congress would help protect poor people by making oil, gas, and mining companies open their books–but industry lobbyists are fighting it. Poor communities have a right to follow the money–and to call for a fair share for schools, health care, and jobs.
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Earthquake in Haiti Fact Sheet
No country can withstand disasters like the one that has rocked Haiti, let alone one saddled with deep poverty and minimal infrastructure. We know the communities we work with are strong and determined, and will respond to this disaster as they have others. We have a shared responsibility to ensure that Haitians have the resources they need to avoid unnecessary suffering.
Oxfam's oil, gas, and mining program
Oxfam advocates just government policies and corporate practices in the oil, gas, and mining industries, and supports the right of communities to participate meaningfully in decisions about the use of natural resources.
OXFAMExchange Spring 2008
Raising a generation without fear
Saving Lives
Disasters, and the way we respond to them, can be catalysts for social change—a chance to create lasting solutions to poverty and injustice.
Working together to end poverty and injustice
An overview of Oxfam America and our approach to poverty relief and lasting social change.
Oxfam in Central America, Mexico, and the Caribbean
All across this diverse and beautiful territory, new faces of leadership are emerging. Women, rural communities, and small farmers are adding their voices to the political dialogue, calling on their governments: Hear us now.
OXFAMExchange Fall 2004
Troubled Waters: Focus on Oxfam's water and sanitation work
OXFAMExchange Spring 2004
Engendering an Equitable Society: Focus on Women's Rights
OXFAMExchange Fall 2003
Ross Gelbspan on Climate Change, The Fast for a World Harvest Turns 30, Hurricane Mitch Five Years Later
OXFAMExchange Spring 2003
Red Tomato, ethnic discrimination and the Mayan defense, clearing landmines in Afghanistan, and community radio breathes life into democracy in Senegal
OXFAMExchange Fall 2002
What's in your coffee? Oxfam's coffee campaign. Plus Afghanistan, Make Trade Fair campaign, and the Hopi people's struggle for clean, safe drinking water.
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Reconstructing Haiti
A summary of recommendations for moving forward following the January 12, 2010 earthquake.
People-centered resilience
Working with vulnerable farmers towards climate change adaptation and food security
Empty promises
What happened to 'development' in the WTO's Doha Round?
Suffering the Science
Climate change, people, and poverty
Metals, mining, and sustainable development in Central America
An assessment of benefits and costs
Field Report from El Salvador
Smart Development in Practice Series
Grounds for Change
Market volatility and declining terms of trade, along with inadequate access to infrastructure, financial resources, and market information, put sustainable livelihoods out of reach for millions of rural families.
Congressional Testimony: The Implementation of DR-CAFTA
A Raw Deal for Rice Under DR-CAFTA
Cuba: Weathering the Storm
Lessons in risk reduction
From Cancun to Miami
The FTAA Threat to Development in the Hemisphere
Cuba: Social Policy at the Crossroads
Cuba: Going Against the Grain
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Oxfam on the ground in Haiti: Captured in photos
One month after the earthquake, Oxfam is providing water, latrines, plastic sheeting, and relief materials–as well as cash payments for work—to thousands who have gathered in temporary camps, both within the city and in hard-hit outlying areas. And we will continue to scale up our efforts.
Oxfam on the ground in Haiti: New beginnings
The Haitian people have begun tackling the hard work of recovery. Many are eager to contribute, looking for opportunities to earn money, to meet people's basic needs—opportunities like assembling family kits.
Haiti Podcast: January 29, 2010
Mark Fried, Oxfam spokesman in Haiti, reports on the conditions in a camp for displaced people in Port-au-Prince.
Haiti podcast: January 26, 2010
Mark Fried, Oxfam spokesman in Haiti, reporting from a hospital in Port-au-Prince.
Oxfam on the ground in Haiti: Scaling up
An estimated one million people in and around Port-au-Prince have lost their homes, forcing many into makeshift temporary camps. Oxfam is providing essentials like clean water, shelter materials, latrines, supplies like soap, and cooking implements to tens of thousands of these displaced people.
Avoiding a food crisis in rural Haiti
Oxfam’s Yves Gattereau talks about how the January 2010 earthquake poses a threat to the country’s already shaky food supply.
Haiti podcast: January 17, 2010
Audio from Louis Belanger, the Humanitarian Media Officer for Oxfam, who is in Port-au-Prince Haiti.
Haiti podcast: January 16, 2010
Audio from Louis Belanger, the Humanitarian Media Officer for Oxfam, who is assessing the situation in Haiti.
Haiti podcast: January 15, 2010
Audio from Louis Belanger, the Humanitarian Media Officer for Oxfam, who is assessing the situation in Haiti.
Video: Earthquake in Haiti requires major humanitarian response
Earthquake survivors urgently need basic services. Oxfam is on the ground in Haiti with 200 people preparing to support rescue efforts and respond with safe water, sanitation services, and shelter material. According to the UN, one third of Haiti’s 9 million people are believed to have been affected. As we pass the 48-hour mark, the need for clean water is now acute.
Video: The need for water is acute
Without water, people cant last much beyond three days. Thats why Oxfam focuses much of its emergency response on rushing to provide survivors with a safe supply.
Haiti podcast: January 14, 2010
Audio from Louis Belanger, the Humanitarian Media Officer for Oxfam, who is assessing the situation in Haiti.
Video: Haiti at risk
Just under 80% of Haiti's 9.6 million people live on less than $2 per day. About half of Haiti's population lacks clean drinking water. These images, taken in Haiti in 2009 by photographer Jeff Antebi, illustrate that a majority of Haitians were struggling to get by before the earthquake struck.
Haiti podcast: January 13, 2010
Audio from Louis Belanger, the Humanitarian Media Officer for Oxfam, who is assessing the situation in Haiti.
Follow the Money
Standing at the pump, watching the numbers tick away, do you ever wonder where the money goes? You're not alone: People on the other end of the pipeline are wondering too. While we feel the pinch in our pockets, citizens of oil-producing countries are often not seeing the profits.
A perfect storm is driving millions into poverty
More than one billion people now face chronic hunger—and more could join their ranks if we don't act now. With increasing food prices, droughts and floods, and economic pressures, 40 years of progress against extreme poverty is at risk. Oxfam is ready with innovative programs that can save lives.
Climate change wake-up call
You know about global warming. You may already be doing your part to protect the environment. But, climate change is a human issue too—it's hitting the poorest people hardest.
ACT FAST with Oxfam
We can beat hunger and poverty -- but we've got to ACT FAST. Pledge to ACT FAST with Oxfam today and help us add 5,000 new people to the movement by November 30.
Stop Violence Against Women
Oxfam America’s Gender Violence Prevention campaign supports local upcoming artists while contributing to cultural change and new youth practices. Salvadoran duo ‘Shaka y Dres’ composed three songs with modern urban Latin rhythms and lyrics that coincide with the messages of the campaign.
Hardest hit: El Salvador
Survival strategies from the frontlines of climate change
TCK TCK TCK - It's Time to Act on Climate Change
With only 100 days to go until world leaders meet in Copenhagen to hammer out a global climate change treaty, Oxfam has launched a new video with Oxfam Ambassador and Hollywood actor Gael Garcia Bernal.
Is mining right for Central America?
Farmers and indigenous people debate the costs and benefits of mining.
Saving for Change
Oxfam America has pioneered an alternative microfinance model called Saving for Change, which self-replicates on a large scale and at a low cost, serving those who have been left behind.
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In the Media: What Oxfam is saying about Haiti
Get the latest information about the situation on the ground.

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El Salvador: Communities unite after Hurricane Ida
With their crops washed away along with their fertile soil, villagers in El Sauce face a long recovery.

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The tipping point in Guatemala
In Baja Verapaz Oxfam and local partners are helping small farmers cope with a food crisis that could have been prevented.

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Big challenges in Haiti
Raymond C. Offenheiser, Oxfam America’s president, just returned from a visit to Haiti, and offers his analysis of the challenges facing the country and recommendations to Haiti and the international community for meeting them.

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First phase of Haiti rehabilitation to focus on water, sanitation, and shelter
Early assessments help Oxfam plan out the first six months of our post-earthquake assistance.

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Interview: Steve Abbot, public health engineer
An interview with one of Oxfam’s engineers in Port-au-Prince describes how volunteers at a camp for earthquake survivors pitched in to build latrines.

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Getting water to a Haitian hospital
At a university hospital in Port-au-Prince, clean water has made all the difference to staff trying to keep conditions clean and reduce the risk of infection.

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Oxfam aid worker blogs from Haiti
Coco McCabe documents the reality in Port-au-Prince, the depth of the destruction, and the strength that keeps people going.

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Avoiding a food crisis in rural Haiti
Oxfam’s Yves Gattereau talks about how the January 2010 earthquake poses a threat to the country’s already shaky food supply.

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