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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 January 12, a major earthquake struck Haiti near the capital of Port-au-Prince causing catastrophic destruction in the western hemisphere's most impoverished nation.
Suffering continues on an almost unimaginable scale. Millions are living in makeshift shelters in crowded camps or on the edge of towns and villages.
Oxfam is helping people survive catastrophes like hurricanes and earthquakes, and the dangerous upheavals of war. Learn about Saving Lives 24/7.
Some progress has been made in Afghanistan, but continued conflict and insecurity have added to the hardships that make it one of the poorest countries in the world.
In November of 2009, torrential rains caused deadly landslides and flooding in El Salvador. Oxfam preparedness programs helped ensure that aid quickly reached those in need.
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.
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.
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.
The cholera crisis that swept across Zimbabwe through the first half of 2009 is now under control. One of the world’s largest recorded outbreaks, it sickened 98,592 people and left 4,288 dead before ending in July. In a widespread response, Oxfam reached more than two million people with emergency assistance.
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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News Update
Oxfam emergency response experts assess quake in Chile
The five-member team, including water engineers, will be ready to help local partners who can respond to the 8.8-magnitude temblor.
News Update
In the Media: What Oxfam is saying about Haiti
Get the latest information about the situation on the ground.
Feature Story
For Emile Hirsch, Zimbabwe is a place of challenges—and hope
In April, the actor saw firsthand the devastating consequences of the cholera outbreak that gripped the country as its water and sewer systems collapsed.
Feature Story
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.
Feature Story
Helping Haiti through the power of community
From bake sales to skydiving, Oxfam America supporters found creative ways to join the relief effort.
Feature Story
Rankin in Congo: 'Their humanity was what I wanted people to notice'
In 2009, celebrity photographer Rankin returned to Congo where he captured the love stories and portraits of people struggling through years of conflict in the eastern provinces.
