What Oxfam is Doing
- Increasing Political Participation
- Protecting Indigenous Territories
- Improving Emergency Response
PROTECTING INDIGENOUS TERRITORIES
Oxfam helps indigenous groups in the Amazon lowlands and Andean highlands improve their organizations, manage their natural resources, preserve their culture, and defend their rights.
The culture and identity of the indigenous people is closely linked to their territories. While Bolivia, Ecuador, and Peru all have laws protecting indigenous lands, indigenous organizations frequently lack the resources to gain legal title to their lands, and need training on ways to protect the environment and provide a decent living for their people.
Case in point: Bolivia's Monte Verde region
Oxfam America has helped indigenous organizations document and gain legal title to lands in the eastern forests of Bolivia’s Monte Verde region, where the Chiquitano people are mapping their lands and filing the required legal documents to gain legal title. Oxfam America has helped the Chiquitano people fund the legal work in this project, as well as in providing specialized training to help them protect and manage the forest resources in their lands.
Indigenous communities also face incursions by oil, gas, and mining companies seeking to exploit the government-owned resources under their lands. Oxfam helps organizations and communities understand and exercise their right to be consulted under international law. Oxfam also funds training programs that teach villagers how to monitor the effects of oil pipelines and ensure pollution is controlled.