Oxfam launches a home and gift rainbow range to send a message of hope as the world battles Covid-19

The limited edition Sourced By Oxfam collection, which is available to buy online, includes reusable lunchboxes and coffee cups, made from bamboo, featuring rainbow artwork.

The items are ethically and sustainably sourced from craftspeople around the world, who are paid a fair wage for their work. The Glastonbury Festival website is also selling some of the rainbow range, helping to spread the message of hope.

All funds raised will be used to support Oxfam’s response to the coronavirus pandemic worldwide.

The pandemic has caused widespread suffering in rich countries, overwhelming some of the best healthcare systems in the world. But with the disease now spreading to many poor countries where high levels of poverty and inequality risk accelerating the disease, the public health challenges are even greater. In Mali there are just three ventilators for one million people. In Zambia, one doctor for 10,000 people.

Nearly three billion people across the developing world do not have access to clean water, millions more do not have adequate healthcare and live in crowded slums or refugee camps where social isolation is impossible.

Oxfam is working with local partners, governments and key UN agencies in 65 countries in response to the crisis and help save lives.

This includes preventive measures like distributing soap and building handwashing stations in the Rohingya camps in Cox’s Bazaar, clean water, sanitation and hygiene in Zaatari camp in Jordan and providing beds, handwashing facilities and protective clothing in quarantine centres in Gaza.

Amanda Pope, Head of Sourced By Oxfam, said: ‘Recently, we have all seen rainbows being used as a powerful symbol of hope during this hugely challenging time. In response to this public sentiment we have made the decision to ensure that all funds raised from sales of the rainbow collection go towards Oxfam’s response to the coronavirus pandemic worldwide. By buying from Oxfam’s rainbow range, you can send a message of hope to a friend or relative, whilst also helping those in the poorest and most vulnerable communities around the world – be kind and buy kind.’

Emily Eavis, co-organiser of Glastonbury Festival, said: ‘As the world reels from this pandemic, and with Glastonbury 2020 cancelled, we wanted to get behind Oxfam’s rainbow collection to send a message of hope and look to the better times ahead.’

Strictly Come Dancing star Katya Jones, who is backing Oxfam’s sustainable fashion campaign, said: ‘The future depends on us being kind and taking care of one another to tackle this unprecedented challenge.’

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Notes to editors:

To view and download images of the rainbow range, click here.

Oxfam’s response to the virus includes:

• In Burkina Faso, where 780,000 people are internally displaced, Oxfam is currently working to ensure that displaced people and the communities in which they are living have access to safe, clean water.
• In Pakistan Oxfam has installed water tanks at quarantine centres so people there have a clean water supply.
• In Lebanon, a public health awareness campaign is underway in informal settlements of refugees, and hotlines and WhatsApp groups have been created. We are also preparing extra toilets, handwashing facilities and water tanks for families who may need to self-quarantine.
• In China, we have been working with our local partners to help those at the greatest risk of catching the virus in poor communities, by distributing protective supplies and food to vulnerable groups (such as impoverished people with HIV/AIDs, migrant families, cleaning workers, low income workers, domestic helpers)