Emergencies

Photo: Jane Ussher

When disaster strikes around the world, Oxfam and our partners move quickly to provide life-saving assistance to people in need. Then we stay for the long-term to rebuild lives and reduce the risk of future disasters.

Syria conflict

The conflict in Syria has resulted in a severe and worsening emergency. 

Over half a million refugees have fled into neighbouring countries, with an estimated 2000 - 3000 people leaving Syria each day. Those who have fled are in desperate need of shelter, food, water and medical care. Oxfam is scaling up its response to help families through the harsh winter months. 

 

 

Cyclone Evan

Cyclone Evan has ripped through the Pacific, destroying homes and livelihoods.

A category four cyclone has thundered through parts of the Pacific, causing extensive destruction. Power cuts, uprooted trees and flash floods have claimed at least four lives and left homes, farms and businesses ravaged.

Families affected by Cyclone Evan need our help.

Oxfam is currently in Samoa assessing damage, but we need your support to reach more people. Make a donation today to bring life-saving support such as water tanks and tools to families who have lost everything.

You can help our neighbours in the Pacific.

Oxfam's disaster response fund

Oxfam can only launch a rapid response to crisis and disasters around the world because we have funds ready. We still need funds to help us respond straight away to emergencies as they happen, and to continue our current work in 26 disasters worldwide.

West Africa food crisis

Erratic rains, poor harvests, lack of pasture and increased global food prices have left almost 10 million people in West Africa facing a severe food crisis. One million children are at risk of acute malnutrition. We need to act now.

Oxfam is there, distributing food and supplies to the poorest households, protecting livestock and buying weak livestock from herders at above market levels.

Your contribution will make a huge difference in saving lives.

East Africa food crisis 2011/2

Ekorot Eriono shows how dry and infertile the soil is in Northern Turkana.
Ekorot Eriono shows how dry and infertile the soil is in Northern Turkana.

Large parts of East Africa suffered what was then the worst food crisis of the 21st century.

Oxfam New Zealand launched an appeal to raise $500,000 to provide assistance to the 13 million people across Ethiopia, Somalia and Kenya who faced starvation.

Oxfam used your generous donations to help reach people with life-saving food and water.

 

Pakistan floods 2010

Thousands of Pakistanis are living in camps
Thousands of Pakistanis are still living in camps in flood-ravaged Pakistan.

Oxfam launched an emergency response for the millions of people in Pakistan who were affected by the worst floods in living memory. Almost a year later, the crisis is still not over, and conditions could still become much worse with new flooding.

 

Haiti earthquake response

Oxfam provides paid employment in camps to collect rubbish and clear debris.

Thanks to the overwhelming support of the public, Oxfam has enough money to fund our response to the Haiti earthquake for the next three to five years.

Six months on, Oxfam has helped 440,000 people, providing clean water, sanitation, shelter, seeds and running cash for work programmes. We plan to reach over 600,000 people.

 

 

Samoa tsunami

Rebuilding lives in rural Samoa Photo: Jane Ussher
Rebuilding lives in rural Samoa.

Oxfam was in Samoa immediately following the tsunami in September 2009, to help distribute emergency relief materials including food, water and clothing.

Nine months on, we are working with local water authorities to make sure people have safe water and sanitation facilities. We're also helping to rebuild livelihoods in rural communities.

Ongoing responses

Oxfam's work continues long after disaster strikes, including rebuilding livelihoods, conflict management and water and sanitation work.

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