Addressing Emergencies
Disasters hit poor people the hardest. It's a fact. When a storm hits, impoverished communities are the last to receive warning. When an earthquake strikes, they are the least prepared to withstand it. And when conflict is waged, they have the fewest resources for recovery.
How Oxfam Works
Working on both disaster relief and development, Oxfam offers:
Immediate Relief
When disaster strikes, Oxfam's worldwide network of partners is already on the scene. Our internationally-acclaimed water and sanitation system prevents the spread of communicable disease—the greatest killer in the first weeks after a disaster.
Lasting Change
Many disasters can be anticipated. Drought in Africa is a chronic problem. So are hurricanes in Central America and conflict in many other countries. Oxfam seeks to address the chronic vulnerabilities in these regions and bring about lasting change.
Case-in-point: relief paired with lasting solutions
In Ethiopia, persistent drought threatens survival. During a dry spell in Yabello, Oxfam helped meet urgent water needs and then focused on the longer-term restoration of water supplies.