Ten reasons to feel good in 2008

It's always great to share good news with those of you who support our work so generously and passionately. Here are ten facts that show how you're helping to make things better for people who are living in poverty - and who are all the more vulnerable because of it.

1. More children in school

In 2007, there were four million fewer children out of school around the world than during the previous year. That's brought the figure down to 72 million - and down from 120 million when Oxfam launched its education campaign in 2000. 1

2. Cancelling debt - a life-saver

Since 1999, poor countries whose debt has been cancelled have spent more than twice as much money on fighting poverty instead. 2

3. More funds to fight HIV and AIDS

The Global Fund to Fight HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria - set up in 2000 at the summit of G8 world leaders in Japan - has now distributed $8.6 billion in grants to 136 countries. More than 1.1 million people are now on treatment for HIV and AIDS. 3

4. Better protection from killer insects

The Global Fund has also distributed 30 million bed nets - treated to protect already-vulnerable children from disease-carrying, life-threatening insects. 4

5. More life-saving medicines available

In Malawi, more than 130,000 people who are living with HIV and AIDS are now receiving treatment. Just five years ago, few people (if any) were able to get the care they needed. This is thanks, in part, to the persistent campaigning by Oxfam and others. 5

6. More young children staying alive

For the first time, the number of children who die before their fifth birthday has fallen to below 10 million. It's now 9.7 million - down from 11 million, three years ago. 6

7. The UK pledges more overseas aid

In the UK, the government has set a timetable to steadily increase its overseas aid to 0.7% of its Gross National Income. (The United Nations has been encouraging all countries to meet this 0.7% target for more than 30 years!). 7

8. And there's more.

In Germany, the government has agreed to increase aid by 750 million euro in 2008. 8

9. India's health spending up by one-third

The Indian government has increased the health budget by 33%. 9

10. You!

Your support of Oxfam's work is helping to make a difference for so many poor and disadvantaged people throughout the world. We never forget that we simply couldn't do our work without you.