Oxfam Australia - Emergency Response

Emergency Response

A large part of Oxfam Australia's work involves direct response to emergencies. Oxfam Australia works with its partners within disaster struck areas to provide humanitarian aid such as water and sanitation. It also advocates for the observance of human rights in times of disaster and conflict, for instance, upholding the Geneva Convention. Once the immediate dangers of an emergency have passes, Oxfam continues to work in the communities to ensure recovery.

Oxfam Australia had a major role in responding to the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami. Funds to the amount of A$27,777,000 were raised from the Australian public and business community, which was spent over four years up until the end of 2008. Response programs operated by Oxfam Australia included providing shelter to people who lost their homes, as well as small loans to help people setup small businesses. Oxfam Australia Tsunami response saw it working in the following countries: Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, Thailand, Somalia, Maldives and Burma.

Oxfam Australia is a partner in the operation of the Joint Emergency Stores Warehouse, opened in Brisbane in October 2008. The facility contains 100 tonnes of humanitarian supplies for use in the Asia-Pacific region.

In early 2009, a major emergency being faced by Oxfam Australia is the 2008 Zimbabwean cholera outbreak. Oxfam Australia is now expanding to targeting 615,000 people, focusing on three worst hit areas: Beitbridge on the South African border, Budiriro, a suburb of Harare, and Mudzi, an area bordering Mozambique.