Oxfam's work in English-speaking Caribbean in depth

Background

Our programmes are being developed in the context of noticeable increases in poverty in the English-speaking Caribbean, unchanged income distribution in the past decade, high levels of inequality, and extremely highly concentrated income distribution even in countries that have achieved significant growth rates over this time period.

The smaller economies of the region continue to face more than their fair share of challenges. In St. Lucia, for example, the decline in earnings from the banana industry and negative growth in the manufacturing sector have been blamed for high levels of poverty, accounting for 18.7 per cent of households and 25.1 per cent of individuals.

The incidence of HIV/AIDS in the region is among the highest in the world, with Guyana registering the highest levels of the Caribbean Community countries.

Against this backdrop, the responsibilities of civil society organisations have increased, especially in the traditionally more impoverished communities of small producers, indigenous people, women and youth.

Civil society is needed to articulate more than ever the concerns of disadvantaged groups, promoting political participation, solving social conflict and monitoring government action.

Oxfam's work

In this context, our work has focused on two principal strategies: the development of sustainable livelihoods and the right to be heard.

Those that benefit from the different projects are:

• small-scale producers in the rural area,
• women’s groups,
• indigenous organisations,
• young people
• and reproductive health educators.

Development of sustainable livelihoods

This programme aims to increase the power of small-scale producers. It will consolidate and expand access to new markets and secure favourable trade policies in the light of trade liberalisation.

The programme will directly benefit about 10,000 people, including rural women. It includes collaborating with partners in paying attention to environmental friendly approaches, gender equity/equality and HIV/AIDS.

Right to be Heard

The programme will build social capital in selected communities suffering economic decline and dislocation, as the result of negative global trade and neo-liberal trends.

NGOs, community groups, and individuals will need to participate more actively in poverty reduction efforts as the role of the public sector shifts.

This participation can be fostered through information sharing, consultation, and decision-making at the local level. But it will also be important to articulate the efforts of civil society, because in this context they act as expressions of the concerns of disadvantaged groups, promoting political participation, solving social conflict, and monitoring government action.

Humanitarian work in Guyana

Following floods at the end of last year, which affected about half the country’s population, Oxfam carried out a series of disaster response programmes, funded by the European Commission’s Humanitarian department, ECHO.

Over the next year, Oxfam will continue its work to improve food security and disaster preparedness in communities affected by the floods, with continued funding from ECHO. This third phase of the project aims to restore people’s livelihoods, increase food security, and develop a community based disaster preparedness system in these communities.

Full details of our work in Guyana

Last updated: Feb 06