What Oxfam is Doing
The tsunami that struck on December 2004 killed more than 200,000 people. In a matter of hours, the waves had swept away countless homes and communities on the shores of the Indian Ocean, and with them the means to make a living and sustain the health and well-being of the survivors. Thanks to the generosity of donors around the world and the hard work of community members, aid agencies, and governments, the most urgent needs were met quickly, but the recovery is ongoing.
Beginning in 2005, Oxfam has undertaken a series of studies on critical issues facing tsunami survivors, from women’s rights to public health, shelter, and fairness in the distribution of aid among communities. Working in partnership with independent researchers from universities and institutes in the region, we have been carrying out investigations that incorporate data and perspectives from the affected communities with existing knowledge from related fields, such as economics and disaster management.
Completed studies have provided solid evidence from which to plan our programs. For example, an in-depth market analysis of the coconut fiber (coir) industry provided the basis for Oxfam’s five-year plan to help the coir producers of southern Sri Lanka – most of whom are women living in extreme poverty - improve their incomes. Ongoing studies are providing useful forums for community members, aid providers, governments, and researchers to share findings and insights.
Our goals for the humanitarian field studies are to strengthen not only Oxfam’s programs and policies, but also those of the wider humanitarian aid community, and to improve accountability to those we aim to help.