International aid agency Oxfam today announced that its Humanitarian Haiti earthquake appeal was closing due to the over-whelming generosity of the public.
In the UK, Oxfam has received £15m for its emergency work in Haiti, with donations received from the public, governments and institutional donors across the world. The aid agency now has enough money to fund its work in Haiti for the next 3-5 years.
Penny Lawrence, Oxfam’s International Director says:
“We are extremely touched by the generosity of the public. The Haiti earthquake was a disaster of almost unimaginable magnitude; millions lost their loved ones and their homes. Oxfam aid teams have been working around the clock to get help to the people that need it. The money we have received is making a real difference to people’s lives in Haiti and will continue to make a real difference as we help Haitians to re-build their lives.”
Although Oxfam’s appeal for Haiti is closing, the charity asked the public to remember other emergencies. The aid agency is responding to 26 disasters worldwide and is able to respond quickly because of giving to its emergency fund – Oxfam 365. There are still urgent needs arising from the prolonged drought in East Africa as well as in conflict situations like Somalia and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Lawrence continued: “If you have raised money, Oxfam can still put it to good use. Our Oxfam 365 fund helps our emergency work around the globe. Right now, teams are helping people caught up in conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo and helping restore the livelihoods of those caught up in the east Africa drought.”
People can donate to Oxfam 365 online at: http://www.oxfam.org.uk/oxfam365/
or calling 0300 200 1300.
To date, Oxfam has provided assistance to 170,000 people in Haiti and continues to scale up operations, planning to reach at least 500,000 people by the end of July. The charity is providing clean water, sanitation, shelter, seeds and running cash for work programmes.
Fundraising projects already in progress before the appeal closed, such as the Haiti auction, will continue as planned, but no new initiatives will be set into motion.
For further information contact Rebecca Wynn on +44 7769 887 139
ENDS
Notes to Editors: Oxfam International, consisting of Oxfam’s 14 independent affiliate groups worldwide including Oxfam Great Britain, has raised approximately $93 million (equivalent to £60m) in their home markets for emergency work in Haiti. ###