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Photo: David Levene/OxfamGB
Africa food crisis appeal
Millions of people in Africa are facing a humanitarian crisis driven by drought, conflict, and rising global food prices.
The bigger picture: global food price hikes explained
What Oxfam is doing
Oxfam is working directly, and with partners, in Ethiopia, Kenya, Mozambique, Somalia, South Africa and Zimbabwe.
Donkey carrying water. Photo: Maite Alvarez
Ethiopia
The failure of seasonal rains and onset of drought has led to severe food shortages across large parts of Ethiopia. Oxfam is providing support to more than 50,000 vulnerable women, men and children by providing water, food, and a means of earning a living.
Oxfam has helped to set up livestock cooperatives where pastoralists can access medical treatment for their livestock as well as work together to strengthen their communities' resilience to prolonged food shortages.
People that have fled the recent fighting in Mogadishu. Photo: David Levene
Somalia
More than a third of the population in Somalia is in need of humanitarian assistance.
Rising food prices are badly affecting people, and in most parts of the country, malnutrition rates are beyond the emergency threshold levels set by the United Nations. The price of imported rice, for example, rose by 350 per cent in several markets between January and May 2008.
Oxfam is working with local partner organisations to provide vital assistance to half a million people across south and central Somalia. We are providing the largest emergency water response in the region and supporting a pioneering program providing hot meals to more than 50,000 people in Mogadishu every day.
Oxfam has supported cash for work schemes that have improved infrastructure for communities and provided much needed finances, lifting people out of debt and dependency.
Girls carry water home in Turkana. Photo: Jane Beesley
Kenya
Northern Kenya has been severely affected by five years of almost continuous drought. While rising food prices have affected the entire population, the urban poor have been especially hard hit with food increasingly priced beyond their reach.
Oxfam is providing support to 63,470 people in Turkana and 139,000 people in Wajir to help them cope with the worsening situation.
Oxfam has:
- Supported women’s weaving groups in Wajir with income-generating activities
- Run community cash for work schemes in Wajir to build water storage facilities
- Supported income-generating activities for community groups and individuals in Turkana
- Helped people in Turkana to establish viable and sustainable businesses
Community members are planting smaller gardens and growing different types of vegetables to try and combat the increasingly dry conditions. Photo: Charlotte Sterrett/OxfamAUS.
Mozambique
Oxfam Australia has been working in Mozambique for more than 20 years to reduce poverty and build a better life for people. Developing sustainable food production and livelihoods is an important part of our work here, especially given the current food crisis. Most recently we have worked with local partner organisations to establish irrigation systems in Gaza province, boosting the crop potential of farming communities.
South Africa
Oxfam Australia is providing water catchment systems for individual households and community centres in KwaZulu-Natal province. These simple water guttering and filter systems give people access to clean drinking water which is also used to sustain small household gardens – valuable sources of income and additional food, particularly for people with HIV and AIDS.
Tending onions in the Cheziya Vegetable Garden. Photo: Jane Beesley
Zimbabwe
Hyper-inflation, the impact of HIV and AIDS, and the decline in recent years of commercial farm production, have all led to a widespread lack of food and other essential items across Zimbabwe.
At the end of March Oxfam completed a three-month food aid program, which we ran in conjunction with the World Food Programme in three drought-affected districts of Kwekwe, Shurugwi and Chirumanzu. With the support of The Office of US Foreign Disaster Assistance, we distributed essential public heath items such as soap and jerry cans along with food packages.
Oxfam continues to work with partners to maintain our long-term development programs, which aim to help Zimbabweans to improve their livelihoods, support those living with HIV and AIDS, prevent the spread of the disease, and combat gender-based violence.
Learn more
How you can help
- Donate to our Africa Food Crisis Appeal
- Your donation will directly support the work of Oxfam and our partners throughout Africa where it is needed most, helping us to provide relief as well as develop sustainable solutions to provide food for the future.