Category: Emergencies
When crisis strikes we respond quickly with life-saving support and help people to rebuild their livelihoods.
Vanuatu resilient in the face of Cyclone Pam
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Colin Collett van Rooyen, Country Director of Oxfam Vanuatu remarks of the resilience of the people in Vanuatu as they face an extreme challenge in Cyclone Pam: “Their absolute resilience clear as crystal on what was otherwise a dark day. Muted smiles when any form of smile would be near impossible for most. Tears too, but hugs – tight embraces of personhood. Being there and being with each other for each other.” Read more »
The aftermath of Cyclone Pam
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More Oxfam Humanitarian Emergency responders have flown to Vanuatu this morning as the unconfirmed death toll from Cyclone Pam begins to climb. Oxfam Country Director in Port Vila, Colin Collett van Rooyen, said the situation in Vanuatu was increasingly grim. Read more »
10 things you should never have to do in a refugee camp
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These refugees are living in camps or among local communities in Jordan, Turkey, Iraq, Lebanon and Egypt. In total, 12 million Syrians – more than half of the pre-war population – are in need of humanitarian assistance for basics like food, water and shelter. They are trying their best to survive and live their lives despite the hardship and devastating impacts of the war still raging in their homeland. Read more »
Eyewitness – Cyclone Pam
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“Pam arrived announced by the drum roll of our shutters. Then she roared, she squealed, she hissed. She spat and cursed in deep bass tones, and at the same time she whistled and screeched in ways that messed with our senses.” Read more »
Cyclone Pam’s path of destruction
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Cyclone Pam, a massive category 5 cyclone has torn a path of destruction through the small Pacific Island nation of Vanuatu. In its wake it has left the community the huge task of rebuilding wrecked lives. Oxfam has a team based in the country and is ready to respond to support the people of Vanuatu. Read more »
Vanuatu prepares for Category 5 Cyclone Pam
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A severe Category 5 cyclone is on it’s way to Vanuatu. All six provinces and islands are on red alert — the highest alert and warning level in Vanuatu. Colin Collett van Rooyen, Oxfam’s Country Director in Vanuatu says Oxfam is on standby but is worried for the small island nation. Read more »
Disasters are increasing on a global scale
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As natural disasters are increasing globally in both frequency and impact, Oxfam’s work in vulnerable countries like The Philippines has become even more critical. According to the World Bank, every dollar invested in preparing for natural disasters now can save seven dollars in recovery costs in the future. Read more »
Challenges remain for Haiti five years after devastating quake
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Five years ago this month, the most powerful earthquake to hit Haiti in 200 years struck the teeming capital of Port-au-Prince, killing more than 220,000 people, injuring more than 300,000 others, and reducing great swaths of the city to rubble. Read more »
Syrian refugees fight to survive snowstorm in the Middle East
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Millions of Syrian refugees, many already struggling to cope through their third or fourth winter displaced from their homes, have been hit with new misery as unusually harsh winter storms and torrential rain sweep across the Middle East. Read more »
Indian Ocean Tsunami, 10 years on: how life goes on in Aceh
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10 years ago, the Indian Ocean Tsunami shocked the world — 230,000 people lost their lives and 1.7 million were displaced. It remains Oxfam’s largest humanitarian response to date, helping around 2.5 million people between 2004 and 2009. Rahmat and Arie were children when the tsunami devastated Indonesia’s Aceh province. They share their experiences with us today.
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