(NGO Partner of the UN in several emergency contexts)
(1) Overview of activities
Oxfam International is a confederation of twelve, rights-based development NGOs with programs in 108 countries. Activities include: long term development assistance, much of which is through partnerships with local NGOs and CBOs; advocacy, particularly on trade (economic rights) aid (right to basic services) and security (right of protection) and humanitarian response.
About 30% of the annual program budget of US$500m is spent on emergency relief, reconstruction and rehabilitation. Oxfam supports disaster preparedness activities of local partners and works to ensure that emergency response is part of a broader sustainable development approach.
(2) Role in emergency relief and reconstruction
Oxfam responds to emergencies by supporting local partners directly and through an operational capability which focuses on (but is not constrained to) water and sanitation and preventative public health interventions. There is a substantial standing capacity in the UK of technical staff for rapid deployment. In addition there are stockpiles of watsan equipment, plastic sheeting for shelter, water-carrying cans, cooking pots, soap, hygiene packs for women and other basics for rapid onset emergencies.
Oxfam supports rehabilitation work with partners in many ways – for example with local organizations repatriating IDPs to their farms, or ensuring family reunion after displacement, providing seeds and tools, rebuilding town/village water supplies, monitoring government or multilateral aid provision, ensuring proper access for women etc.
Advocacy and campaigning - particularly on the protection of civilians - is a core part of Oxfam’s humanitarian response.
(3) Major opportunities for business support
Priorities: (with a few examples from recent Tsunami appeal)
Funding – corporate (BP) and through payroll deductions (Microsoft).
Equipment – computers, mobile communications (CISCO), vehicles.
Logistics – airlines donating freight space and seats for staff (Virgin, Qantas).
Supplies – e.g. bottled water for the Andeman Islands (Somerfield).
Funding is the most useful form of support because it gives the greatest flexibility. Most NGOs have to turn away a lot of in-kind support because the freight costs are prohibitive, or the in-kind support offered is not useful (e.g. drugs past their use-by date.) An item like bottle water is only useful in unusual circumstances.
In rare instances funding may be refused if it is seen to compromise independence or neutrality.
Oxfam prefers internal/local purchase for food aid (to avoid depressing local prices) and only uses shipments where there are no viable local options.
(4) Contribution/Contact information
Oxfam accepts checks and cash contributions from businesses and their employees and encourages matching gift contributions. In rare instances, funding may be refused if it is seen to compromise independence or neutrality.
For information on donations, please contact:
Oxfam America, Stephanie Kurzina, Vice President, Resource Development, Oxfam America. 1-800-77OXFAM
For further contact information and to make a donation, please visit http://www.oxfamamerica.org in the US or http://www.oxfaminternational.org .
(5) Examples of engagement with the private sector
Oxfam engages with the private sector across a range of activities, stretching from philanthropic support and sponsorship, to constructive engagement on policy and to advocacy where companies violate human rights and exploit poor or vulnerable people.
1. Philanthropy – e.g. donations to Tsunami
2. Sponsorship – e.g. support for Trailwalker, a corporate fundraising event held in Hong Kong, Australia and the UK.
3. Joint programs – research (supply chain), training or co-programming (mining.)
4. Campaigns – e.g. sweatshop labor, coffee market reform, access to affordable pharmaceuticals, agribusiness (export subsidies.)
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