Lasting Change
Many poor communities are vulnerable to the same crises over and over. Oxfam seeks to not simply rebuild what was, but to construct a better reality—improving lives and preparing people for the next disaster.
The Oxfam Advantage
Oxfam's innovative approach to disaster relief involves three critical phases:
Before disasters occur, we've got a plan.
In more than 120 countries, Oxfam has contingency plans to respond to emergencies immediately and effectively. Working through local partners, Oxfam helps communities secure radio access, identify evacuation routes, and designate responsibilities—preparing them to implement their own solutions, rather than waiting for outside aid.
When disaster strikes, we're already there.
Most lives are lost within the first 15 days of disaster. In addition to acting on community-specific contingency plans, Oxfam partners help provide water, sanitation, and other forms of emergency assistance.
When others have left the scene, we're still there.
Many relief efforts only last for three to six months following a disaster. Oxfam takes the time needed to help people restore their assets and livelihoods. This can take years, but the payoff is great: by strengthening communities, Oxfam helps build resistance to emergencies in the future.