Oxfam America http://www.oxfamamerica.org These are the search results for the query, showing results 1 to 3. In the wake of Sandy, Oxfam distributes cholera kits and steps up prevention http://www.oxfamamerica.org/articles/in-the-wake-of-sandy-oxfam-distributes-cholera-kits-and-steps-up-prevention The potential for cholera outbreaks is just one of the concerns Haitians have following the heavy rains. When Hurricane Sandy hit Haiti, the strong winds and torrential rains that accompanied it brought new waves of hardship and worry for many families still trying to recover from the earthquake that destroyed their homes nearly three years ago. And not the least of their concerns is cholera—the deadly waterborne disease that broke out on the heels of the quake and continues to spike during periods of heavy rain.

Around the capital city of Port-au-Prince and in the Region des Palmes, Oxfam has been distributing hygiene and cholera kits to people in need, while continuing to provide information on how to prevent the spread of the disease. In Artibonite, a rural region to the north that was hit hard by cholera when the first outbreak occurred, Oxfam is stepping up its prevention activities. It’s providing equipment to cholera treatment centers, distributing cholera kits to hundreds of families, and collaborating closely with the local authorities.

“Unfortunately, cholera will likely, at a minimum, be endemic in Haiti for years to come,” said Thomas Mahin, a water quality adviser to Oxfam America. “The history of cholera cycles in other countries is that when the outbreak goes from an epidemic to an endemic situation, the number of cases decreases significantly but the percent of cases that are children less than 5 years old goes up. So, while the number of cases will decline eventually, the most vulnerable populations—infants, pregnant women, etc.—will still be at significant risk. So, the total number of cases only tells part of the story.”

The rain Sandy dumped isn’t only affecting the potential for a cholera outbreak. In some areas of the country, rainfall was equivalent to about 50 percent of the yearly precipitation and destroyed houses, bridges, schools, and roads.

In the South-East region, Oxfam is working with local partners to evaluate damage to agricultural areas: Sandy was the third recent weather event to hit the region following, first, a drought and then tropical storm Isaac. The cumulative effects of these crises are devastating to small farmers. Oxfam has launched cash-for-work initiatives for more than 1,000 families. The income from that work can help people meet their basic needs.

]]> No publisher cmccabe Caribbean Haiti cholera humanitarian relief natural disaster public health sanitation 2012-12-13T19:27:48Z Feature Story Take Action: Global Food Crisis http://www.oxfamamerica.org/publications/take-action-global-food-crisis Already 854 million people on our planet suffer from hunger. Now, as food prices climb high and fast, conditions are becoming worse and threatening the well-being of millions more people. Since late 2007, as many as 100 million others—no longer able to afford the food they need—have joined the ranks of the hungry.

]]> No publisher mborum Central and East Africa Central and South Asia East Asia Fast for a World Harvest Horn of Africa Hunger Banquet Southern Africa West Africa agriculture food security humanitarian relief hunger livelihood livestock natural disaster public health refugees water 2010-08-09T19:47:33Z Campaign Publication OXFAMExchange Spring 2002 http://www.oxfamamerica.org/publications/spring-2002 Oxfam launches the Make Trade Fair campaign On April 11, in a noise heard far beyond the borders of the Hong Kong harbor, Oxfam crushed a shipping container emblazoned with various trade injustices that Oxfam is fighting to abolish.

Amid cheers from a throng of enthusiastic supporters and international media, Make Trade Fair won the day.

Oxfam's trade campaign was launched.

Within hours of the Hong Kong debut, events were held in 25 cities including Brussels, Dublin, Geneva, Mexico City, San Salvador, and Washington, D.C. These events ranged from press conferences and symposiums to a rock concert in London’s Trafalgar Square.

Oxfam's trade campaign seeks to unite concerned citizens around the world in calling for fair trade policies that will help move millions of people out of poverty.

Nobel Prize Professor Amartya Sen, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, and musician and social activist Bono were among those who endorsed the campaign. "Oxfam has got it right," said Bono. "It wouldn't cost much to change the rules of trade so that poor countries can work their way out of poverty. But the world's leaders won't act unless they hear enough people telling them."

Also in this issue of EXCHANGE, writers Frances and Anna Lappé discuss their book Hope's Edge: The Next Diet for a Small Planet, and we bring you updates on Oxfam's work with water and sanitation, drought in Ethiopia, and indigenous women in the highlands of Peru who are speaking out after decades of violence.

]]> No publisher mborum CHANGE Cambodia Central America East Asia El Salvador Peru South America Southern Africa equality for women indigenous people minority rights natural disaster public health trade water 2009-04-30T21:11:13Z Oxfam Exchange