|
The Oxfam interview
From Tsunami in
Asia | Secondary school
assembly ideas
The following script can be used:
- as a script to be performed by pupils, some taking
the part of representatives of Oxfam, others acting as the pupil
interviewers
- as a presentation to be given either by a teacher
or by pupils
Alternatively the pupils could devise their own script
of questions and answers, for presentation at the assembly, using
the following web links to research the relevant information.
> How
we work in emergencies
> How
we work in emergencies: Water and sanitation
> Emergency
fact file
> Emergency
fact file: Ready to go
> BBC
- In pictures: Coping with the aftermath
Interview script
Question:
How does Oxfam know what people need?
Oxfam's Answer:
Oxfam runs projects in more than 80 countries including many of
the countries hit by the tsunami. This means that we have local
staff with expert knowledge of the area who can quickly assess the
situation and say what is needed.
Question:
We’ve got lots of spare food and clothes at home – can
we send them?
Oxfam's Answer:
Transport costs make it expensive to send clothes and food. Wherever
possible we buy food and other supplies that people need from the
local region because it is much cheaper and saves on transport costs.
That way we support the local economy and the food and supplies
are better suited to local needs and tastes.
So really, it is better to give money if you can or take things
to be sold at Oxfam shops. That way the money raised can be used
to buy clothes and food from the local region.
Question:
It’s confusing. Lots of people are asking for money, does
it matter if I give it to Oxfam or someone else if you’re
all doing the same thing?
Oxfam's Answer:
The main appeal is organised by the Disasters Emergency Committee
(DEC), a UK organisation made up of 12 different charities. All
of the charities have their own areas of expertise in disaster situations.
20% of the money raised by the DEC goes to Oxfam who specialise
in providing shelter, food and drinking water to the people affected
by the disaster. By the second week in January 2005, in one area
of Sri Lanka, Oxfam had already delivered 11 tonnes of sanitation
and water equipment and begun to build large water tanks and toilets.
Question:
On the news there are big aeroplanes full of stuff flying from Britain
to Asia. Isn’t it very expensive?
Oxfam's Answer:
As we said, most of the stuff we buy in the region. There are some
special things that people need really quickly that we can’t
buy locally, like specially designed life-saving equipment such
as huge water tanks and buckets with lids and taps. We have to fly
that kind of stuff over from here. Much of this special equipment
is already stored in a big warehouse near Oxford so it is always
ready to be sent to disaster areas as soon as it is needed. Access
to some areas is very difficult and Oxfam teams have to think what
is best for the situation. In Sri Lanka, they have used ferries,
a tanker ship and helicopters to get aid to thousands of people
who are cut off.
Question:
I’ve given all my pocket money for this week, but it is only
a couple of pounds? How can this help?
Oxfam's Answer:
Every penny is valuable and makes a difference. For example, just
£2.34 could buy a bucket with a lid and tap. This stops a
family’s drinking water from getting contaminated, which is
so important as the risk of people getting serious illnesses through
dirty water is very high.
In the long term, one of the things that many families will need
is to replace the animals they have lost which provide food and
income. It costs just £1 to buy a chicken.
Question:
Do you give the money directly to individual people?
Oxfam's Answer:
It’s much better to give the money not to individuals, but
to groups of local people that work together to make a big difference.
These local organisations, and Oxfam’s offices in the region
have lots of experience of helping whole communities and are well-placed
to know what the needs are.
Question:
My dad is a builder – should he go to help?
Oxfam's Answer:
There are some specialist workers who are going to the affected
countries to help in the short-term. However, the people in the
affected places are often the best placed to rebuild their lives
and communities. They generally know best what needs to be done
and how to do it. What they need most from us is support in gaining
access to resources – both in the short-term and in the years
to come. And there are many ways in which we can all provide this
support.
> Read
the other materials from this section.
From Tsunami in
Asia | Secondary school
assembly ideas
|
Cool Planet for Teachers has moved
