We're all in this together. Be Humankind.

Easy guide to Oxfam


Oxfam. What springs to mind? Charity shops and second-hand clothes? Donkeys from our Oxfam Unwrapped gift catalogue, bought for people in far-flung lands? They're part of the picture. But think bigger. Much bigger...

Oxfam is a vibrant global movement of passionate, dedicated people fighting poverty together. Doing amazing work, together. People power drives everything we do. From saving lives and developing projects that put poor people in charge of their lives and livelihoods, to campaigning for change that lasts. That’s Oxfam in action.

What we do

To have the biggest possible impact on the lives of poor people worldwide, Oxfam concentrates on three interlinked areas of work:

Mozambique, March 2008: Oxfam equipment being airlifted on a Mercy Air helicopter. Credit: Matthias/Mercy Air Emergency response

People need help in an emergency – fast. We save lives, swiftly delivering aid, support and protection; and we help communities develop the capacity to cope with future crises.
Current emergencies

Uttar Pradesh, India: this water pump means local farmers can now reap two harvests each year instead of one. Photo: Rajendra Shaw Development work

Poor people can take control, solve their own problems, and rely on themselves – with the right support. We fund long-term work to fight poverty in thousands of communities worldwide.
Where we work

Activists already affected by climate change take campaigning into their own hands, protesting on the streets of Dhaka, Bangladesh. Photo: Caroline Gluck Campaigning for change

Poverty isn’t just about lack of resources. In a wealthy world it’s about bad decisions made by powerful people. Oxfam campaigns hard, putting pressure on leaders for real lasting change.
Campaign with us

Home is... where the bulldozers are. Stop land grabs

In pictures

In pictures

Snapshots of our work worldwide.

'A window on the future', Hays, Yemen. Oxfam is helping to rehabilitate Al Mostaqbel School, which Naziah (11) and her classmates enthusiastically attend. This school has female teachers, which means more girls can go to school - great news in a country where 73 per cent of women and girls are illiterate. The school has two shifts, one in the morning for boys and an afternoon session for girls. Photo: Abbie Trayler-Smith
'A window on the future', Hays, Yemen.
Oxfam is helping to rehabilitate Al Mostaqbel School, which Naziah (11) and her classmates enthusiastically attend. This school has female teachers, which means more girls can go to school - great news in a country where 73 per cent of women and girls are illiterate. The school has two shifts, one in the morning for boys and an afternoon session for girls.
Photo: Abbie Trayler-Smith
'Room with a view', Piyaya, Tanzania. In this area, Oxfam provides materials, training for teachers and for school committees, and helps build classrooms. When this picture was taken, classes at Noomunye preschool were still being held under a tree. But in June 2007, a new classroom was completed. Photo: Geoff Sayer
'Room with a view', Piyaya, Tanzania.
In this area, Oxfam provides materials, training for teachers and for school committees, and helps build classrooms. When this picture was taken, classes at Noomunye preschool were still being held under a tree. But in June 2007, a new classroom was completed.
Photo: Geoff Sayer

'Sleeping on the job', Intedeyne, Mali. Baby Fatimata has a snooze while mother Fata does vegetable gardening. Intedeyne is a very arid area, so it requires a lot of effort to maintain any kind of agriculture. Oxfam is helping with a garden project here, as well as supporting local education work. Photo: Ami Vitale
'Sleeping on the job', Intedeyne, Mali.
Baby Fatimata has a snooze while mother Fata does vegetable gardening. Intedeyne is a very arid area, so it requires a lot of effort to maintain any kind of agriculture. Oxfam is helping with a garden project here, as well as supporting local education work.
Photo: Ami Vitale
'Cash cow', Gaibandha, Bangladesh. Jarina Begum tending a calf she was able to buy with money earned through Oxfam. Jarina bought four cows with cash she earned as part of a cash-for-work programme run by Oxfam to build a flood shelter. Subsequently, she was also able to keep her cows safe in the shelter during dangerous floods. Photo: Jane Beesley
'Cash cow', Gaibandha, Bangladesh.
Jarina Begum tending a calf she was able to buy with money earned through Oxfam. Jarina bought four cows with cash she earned as part of a cash-for-work programme run by Oxfam to build a flood shelter. Subsequently, she was also able to keep her cows safe in the shelter during dangerous floods.
Photo: Jane Beesley
Make a donation to Oxfam 365

Make a donation


Women gather in the shade in anticipation of the temporary relief and food which can now be bought with the destocking money as part of Oxfam's response to the food security crisis in Niger in 2005. Photo: Carlo Heathcote/OxfamWe rely on you to be there when disaster strikes.
Start a regular gift, and save lives 365 days a year.

In depth

In depth

Find out how you can be part of Oxfam’s work.
What you can do

In depth

In depth

Spare some time, learn new skills, and get stuck in today!
Volunteer with Oxfam