Oxfam International is an international confederation of 20 organizations working together with partners and local communities in more than 90 countries, as part of a global movement for change, to build a future free from the injustice of poverty. The name “Oxfam” comes from the Oxford Committee for Famine Relief, founded in Britain in 1942. The group campaigned for food supplies to be sent through an allied naval blockade to starving women and children in enemy-occupied Greece during the Second World War. Since then, as well as becoming a world leader in the delivery of emergency relief, Oxfam implements long-term development programs in vulnerable communities. Oxfam supports the campaigns of civil society to fix the global food system, end unfair trade rules, and to combat climate change.
Oxfam in the Philippines as a country office of Oxfam International (OI) has been undertaking humanitarian work in the Philippines for more than 30 years. The organization is now transitioning to be a confederate affiliate of OI as Oxfam Pilipinas (OPH) and as such will become the 22nd national affiliate of Oxfam International (OI). It is a milestone event in the history of Oxfam. As an independent affiliate, OPH will be able to set up its own policies and procedures that are aligned with Oxfam International principles. It will be autonomous but will have a seat in the international confederation. The organization has been contributing to the eradication of poverty, supporting women and vulnerable groups in saving lives and building livelihoods, enhancing resilience to crises and disasters, and holding duty bearers accountable to vulnerable communities. OPH works with grassroots communities, civil society organizations (CSOs), government, the private sector and the youth in transforming unequal power relations, structures, norms and values that perpetuate poverty and inequality.
