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Emergencies
When disaster strikes, Oxfam's worldwide network of partners is already on the scene, providing emergency assistance. Once the immediate danger has passed, Oxfam seeks out the root causes of crises and works to bring about lasting change.
Current emergencies
On September 29, a series of tsunamis struck the Samoan island chain within minutes of a strong undersea earthquake in the South Pacific.
When Tropical Storm Ketsana swept through the Philippines and, gaining in strength, struck Vietnam as a full-scale typhoon, it caused massive flooding, destruction, and displacement before moving inland to Cambodia and Laos.
The powerful undersea earthquake that struck near West Sumatra on September 30 killed at least 1,000 people and destroyed homes, bridges, and roads in Padang and villages north of the city.
Learn more about Oxfam's Global Emergency Response, our emergency aid program that allows us to respond immediately, without relying on headline news to generate public interest and support.
Cyclone Aila struck Bangladesh and India with torrential rains and tidal surges that caused massive flooding. Oxfam partners are rushing essential aid to the survivors.
As fighting intensifies, hundreds of thousands of Pakistanis have fled their homes. Oxfam is working to provide essentials to the people in greatest need.
Oxfam and local partners are building latrines and rushing clean water and hygiene supplies to those who have been displaced by violence.
Suffering continues on an almost unimaginable scale. Millions are living in makeshift shelters in crowded camps or on the edge of towns and villages.
Climate change, energy costs, and biofuel demand are driving food prices through the roof, particularly impacting the poor, who spend most of their income on food.
Oxfam and local partners are providing Gazans food, clean water, medical assistance, and public health services, and repairing water and sewage systems damaged in the conflict.
Conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo has cost nearly 5.4 million lives. Many have fled to neighboring countries or temporary camps, and government stability is fragile.
Oxfam's response to the devastating 2004 tsunami was our largest humanitarian response ever, with over 2.5 million people receiving vital aid and recovery assistance.
Somalia has been without an effective government since 1991. Periodic conflict between rival factions has forced massive displacements of people and severely disrupted the economy.
Following the tsunami of Dec. 2004, Oxfam launched a research program to study a wide range of issues related to the disaster response, which has strengthened our programs and pointed the way to improving aid effectiveness.
Zimbabwe is in the grip of a cholera epidemic that is threatening the health of over 300,000 people, worsening an already dire economic situation.
2008 China earthquake recovery
A devastating earthquake in the Sichuan region of China in 2008 killed nearly 70,000, injured 350,000 and caused the evacuation of 15 million people.
2007 Bangladesh cyclone recovery
Cyclone Sidr left more than 3,000 people dead, destroyed or damaged 1.4 million houses, and affected more than 8 million people. Without a massive response, Bangladesh will face its worst crisis in decades.
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Feature Story
Oxfam and local partners help farmers cope with crop failures, food shortages.
Feature Story
Rebuilding lives after Typhoon Ketsana
Thach You, like thousands of others in Cambodia, is struggling to keep a roof over her family's head and find enough food for her children following a season of devastating floods.
Feature Story
Weather insurance offers Ethiopian farmers hope—despite drought
For the first time, poor farmers can now buy insurance for teff, a staple grain that feeds their families.
Feature Story
Gebru Kahsay relies on rain but has the security of insurance
If harvests fail because of poor rain, some teff farmers in Ethiopia now have a back-up plan.
