Poverty and inequality

Everyone deserves a decent life.

So why isn’t this happening? We know global poverty is made by political choices that benefit people already with the most power, and ignore the needs of people who’ve been stripped of theirs. It’s powered by inequality – and it’s time that changed.

That's why we partner up with organisations around the world who are embedded within the communities we work with. Through these partnerships, we’re constantly learning together and developing ways to cut poverty and inequality off at the roots. For example....

Achieving a safer, peaceful world

Millions of people live in the toughest places on earth, facing violent conflict and mass destruction caused by climate change. Often with little or no government support, people already facing poverty are forced into a situation of extreme vulnerability.

It's an injustice that people who’ve already been stripped of the resources and power to cope with crises, are paying the price for decisions made by the most powerful people.

Ending this injustice is possible. But it'll take us all to speak out for a safer, peaceful world.

A world where no one's made more vulnerable to crises than anyone else. Where lives are no longer routinely upended by violence. Where, when disasters strike, everyone has access to protection and a right to safety.

It takes incredible resilience and expertise to know how to cope when lives are uprooted by conflict and extreme weather. No one has more experience than people living this reality every day.

So Oxfam is led by that expertise, by the communities most affected and the organisations around them. Only then can we ensure people access what they need, when they need it. And only then can we really tackle the root causes that make people so unequally vulnerable in the first place.

Working for climate justice

The biggest polluters are being allowed to rake in huge profits while people living in poverty are left paying the highest price. This is climate inequality.

We believe climate justice is possible. If the biggest polluters (like the wealthiest countries, big corporations and the super rich) cover the costs for their climate-wrecking behaviour, we can raise the funds urgently needed to deal with the devastating impacts of the climate crisis.

The money is there, and there’s no time to lose. Let's rise above the lie that there’s not enough to go around. You can campaign with us and climate activists around the world calling for change.

Building a fairer economy

Much of the work women do the world-over is unpaid or low paid. And that’s no accident.

Entrenched views about women’s roles and abilities mean an oppressive amount of their time is spent in low-paid, informal work (like house cleaners and market stall holders) and working hard in the home for no pay at all (like caring for children).

This work takes time and energy, just like any other work. And it’s invaluable to societies and economies. Yet it’s taken for granted, ignored and unvalued.

We need to shift away from economies rooted in inequality and exploitation, to economies that centre the wellbeing of both people and planet.

Oxfam works alongside activists and organisations worldwide who are pushing for a fairer economy – from Occupied Palestinian Territory to Kenya and UK. Many are funded through our Women’s Rights Fund ensuring partners can use money in the way they know will have the best impact.

We’ve also produced reports that raise the voices of the many people experiencing this injustice. This work influences government policies and pushes for change.

“As the shadows of war loomed... I had no choice but to sacrifice my education to provide for my family.”  Nahla says.

Nahla lives in Yemen, and like many people she is working in the face of war for a better future. Nahla did mobile phone repair training as part of a partnership with Tamdeen Youth Foundation.

“Obtaining a certificate as a mobile technician enabled me to seize the opportunity to train in the maintenance department. I have found great success [and] continue to self-develop. If there is anything I can advise the girls living in similar circumstances [it’s] to be patient and never despair life is full of surprises and at every corner there is hope.’’

Your donations have also supported George, who works with the Vanuatu Society for People with Disabilities (VSPD) and is himself disabled. Cash transfers have supported VSPD to reach more people in what he calls, “the family of people with disabilities”.