Poverty affects millions of people throughout the world. It is terrible and seemingly unavoidable in some countries. However, when you have great charities like Oxfam International out there helping impoverished people, it provides a lot of hope.
Poverty is so rampant across the globe, it’s hard to know where to start. Oxfam takes a strategic and practical approach to address both its causes and its impact on people’s lives. It’s what they refer to as their six-sided strategy and it’s led to their ability to help people in 90 different countries.
1. Human Rights
In many countries, people aren’t given the same basic human rights that we are used to. Oxfam allies with their charitable partners and local communities to help people claim rights for themselves. This can enable them to escape poverty–often permanently.
2. Empowering Women
Unfortunately, women and girls are still massively under-represented and often oppressed in many societies around the world. Oxfam helps them to speak out and demand justice. They believe female empowerment is a key to all human development.
3. Disaster Relief
Natural disasters and conflicts happen. Oxfam is there to provide clean water, food and sanitation in disaster-stricken areas. They also continue working with poor people long after the initial disaster so that they can be better prepared for future incidents.
4. Conserving Natural Resources
Oxfam is committed to making sure precious natural resources are shared and that poor people get what they need to survive. They lobby governments, international organizations and corporations to develop fairer land policies and better actions when it comes to climate change.
5. Feed the World
Hunger is one of the worst issues affecting impoverished people and nations. Oxfam works to secure global food supplies, redistribute resources in better ways and seek out more effective ways of growing crops. They want to make sure people always have enough to eat.
6. Financial Support
If people don’t have proper access to education, health care and other essential services, it only increases the chances for poverty. Oxfam pushes to secure more equitable financial flows so that poor families and individuals can access these basic services.
Only out of total desperation are #refugees willing to risk their lives to cross to Europe http://t.co/Y2SFdwEakg pic.twitter.com/HXWj5s7wY1
— Oxfam International (@Oxfam) September 12, 2015
To learn more about Oxfam International and their commitment to fighting poverty, click here.