Oxfam GB
This is the blog of Oxfam GB, an international NGO which does aid and development work worldwide. Oxfam GB is a member of Oxfam International and works others to overcome poverty and suffering.
Testimonies from eastern Congo: civilians caught in conflict have their say
The following testimonies were collected by protection teams involved in research for Oxfam's recent survey of civilians in eastern Congo. The names of specific communities and individuals have been witheld to ensure confidentiality and the safety of the people involved. The opinions expressed below are those of the three individuals consulted and should in no way be taken to represent Oxfam's views. Man, farmer, a town in Lubero, North Kivu "We are the wretched of the earth, they are killing us in the name of peace. Those who should be keeping us safe think that we are the rebel group Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) and rob us of the little we have left. Who will save us? ...
Congo: If only the world would not look away
By Marcel Stoessel, Oxfam GB's Country Director for Democratic Republic of Congo (Click here for a video) It was in late March that I started receiving increasingly worrying reports about alleged atrocities in remote areas of North Kivu. Military operations by the Congolese army against the FDLR rebel group had continued (Rwandan troops deployed in a joint operation with the Congolese army withdrew in February); and reports suggested that the offensive was likely to expand to South Kivu. I heard about reprisal attacks, the burning of houses, sexual violence, looting, and people being prevented from accessing their fields, their only source of food. Many of these reports were coming from areas where Oxfam teams had begun carrying out life-saving work with a local partner, helping to provide safe drinking water, clean latrines and public health education. ...
Nappies and spaghetti: the challenges of getting aid into Gaza
This blog is written by Michael Bailey, Advocacy and Media Manager for Oxfam GB in Jerusalem. He has been living and working in Jerusalem, West Bank, Israel and Gaza for three years. A truck load of nappies is driven into the Kerem Shalom crossing ahead of us. One consignment of 36 wooden pallets piled over a meter high - not enough to meet the household needs in Gaza where 170 babies are born every day. ...
Shafeeka's story: hardship and isolation in Iraq
For almost six years now, images of horrific chaos and conflict in Iraq have been regularly beamed into our homes. But what do we know about the lives that are being led behind the scenes we see on TV? Are things really getting better? And for whom? Last year, Oxfam and the Iraqi women's rights organisation, the Al-Amal Association ran a comprehensive survey, speaking to some of the most vulnerable people in Iraqi society - women. They discovered the hidden struggles of their daily lives and their most urgent needs. ...
Gaza: "Where is humanity?"
Mohammed Ali, media and advocacy researcher with Oxfam in Gaza, writes from him home in Gaza city. Jan. 12, 2009 Today, I met with people outside of Shifa Hospital, Gaza city. I could not believe the stories I was hearing. An old man told me he was going blind. His diabetic condition was deteriorating and he needed to be treated quickly so not to lose his sight. He was turned away; he was not in a severe enough state compared to the people filling the hospital corridors and there were not enough doctors to see to him. ...
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