Our aims and approach

Tackling poverty is an important and challenging mission, requiring a determined and sustained effort.

We aim to save lives by responding quickly with aid and protection during emergencies, empower people to work their own way out of poverty, and campaign for lasting change.

We've been saving and changing lives for nearly 70 years. And we've learned that tackling poverty is only possible when we are helping people to secure their fundamental human rights: 

• The right to life and security.

• The right to a sustainable livelihood.

• The right to essential services.

• The right to be heard.

• The right to equity (in particular, the rights of women).

We work at all levels - global and local, with international governments and global institutions, local communities and individuals - to make sure everyone's rights are protected and the best solutions possible are implemented.

The five areas we focus on are informed by our beliefs as an organisation:

• All human lives are of equal value. Everyone has fundamental rights which must be recognised and upheld at all times.

• Poverty makes people more vulnerable to conflicts and natural disasters. Much of this suffering is unnecessary, and we must relieve it.

• Unequal power relations - gender, race, class, caste and disability - make people more vulnerable to poverty and suffering. Women, who make up the majority of the world's poor people, are especially disadvantaged. Unequal power relations must be addressed wherever they occur.

• In a world rich in resources, poverty is a morally indefensible injustice. It can and must be overcome. Too often, poverty is the result of powerful people's decisions. We must challenge and remove unjust policies and practices.

• With the right resources, support, and training, people living in poverty can solve their own problems. We're all responsible for working together to overcome poverty and suffering.

Our values, founded on our beliefs, are centred on three themes:

Our approach means that everyone involved with Oxfam, from our staff and supporters to people living in poverty, should feel they can make change happen.

Our purpose-driven, results-focused approach means we take responsibility for our actions and hold ourselves accountable. We believe that others should also be held accountable for their actions.

We are open to everyone and embrace diversity. We believe everyone has a contribution to make, regardless of visible and invisible differences.