humanitarian aid

Without an end to the fighting – and unless more aid can be delivered to those who need it – famine remains a serious threat in South Sudan in 2015. By committing to more vigorous diplomacy and swift action, the world has the chance to prevent that. 

Israeli and Palestinian leaders must seize the opportunity of the new ceasefire to end the violence once and for all. Lasting peace for all civilians will only be possible if Israel permanently lifts its restrictions on Gaza’s economy and people.

International agency Oxfam today flew out a seven strong team of experts to Iraq to set up an aid program to help thousands of people forced to flee their homes in recent days.

The escalating violence that has gripped Darfur in recent weeks has forced over 100,000 civilians to flee their homes and villages. Oxfam has launched a response aimed at reaching more than 90,000 people with critical humanitarian aid.

More than 65 per cent of refugees surveyed by Oxfam fear they may not be able to go back to Syria despite desperately wanting to return. There is an urgent need for Geneva peace process to be kick-started as well as improved response from donor countries to UN’s humanitarian appeal.

The huge humanitarian response in the aftermath of November’s super typhoon saved thousands of lives but three months on, the poorest coconut farmers, traders and fisherpeople are being left out of the recovery effort.

Ahead of the Sahel Appeal to be launched by the United Nations on the 3rd February 2014 in Rome, 11 humanitarian agencies warn that northern Mali is set to face another serious food crisis unless funds are rapidly mobilized.

Oxfam’s Humanitarian Policy Advisor Shaheen Chughtai said: “A week after the start of Geneva II we have yet to see any genuine progress on humanitarian assistance to the millions of Syrians

Fifty-five NGOs have been deeply alarmed at the scale of human suffering seen in the country in the past six weeks, and so welcome the recent signing in Addis Ababa of a cessation of hostilities agreement between the Government of South Sudan and the opposition forces.

While yesterday’s ceasefire is a sign of political progress, efforts to support the more than 50,000 South Sudanese refugees in Uganda remain grossly under resourced, and host communities are being pushed to the breaking point.