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With 10 + years of experience leading program development and management at country and global levels, Mrs. Justine Gomis Tossou is passionate and committed to uplifting the most vulnerable communities. An outstanding facilitator, she has a proven track record serving in many international organizations in Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean Islands. Justine is known for her excellent ability to provide cost-effective solutions and impactful, and lasting contributions to complex development issues.

The termination of the grain deal between Ukraine and Russia is mostly portrayed as hurting poorer countries. However, United Nations figures on the grain deal show that only 2.5 percent of the grain was destined for countries like Somalia, Ethiopia, Sudan, Yemen and Afghanistan, countries ravaged by conflict and climate change. Slightly more prosperous countries such as Kenya, Egypt, Tunisia and Bangladesh received 17 percent. Europe and China got most of the cake. The question is to what extent the grain deal has really improved the availability and affordability of food in the world's poorest countries, and in reducing hunger. As it turns out, while nearly 800 million people worldwide still go to bed hungry every day, the reach of the grain deal has been limited. Food-deficit countries ultimately benefit more from supporting small farmers and developing local food markets.

On June 6th, the Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant, located about 70 km east of Kherson, Ukraine, was severely damaged by explosions, leading to widespread flooding and triggering a massive humanitarian and environmental crisis. One month on, Oxfam’s priority is still to ensure the safety of the affected communities. We are working in close collaboration with our local partners, who are at the forefront of the response efforts.

Separated from their loved ones and homes by the conflict in Sudan, hundreds of thousands of people have become refugees seeking solace in foreign lands. Each person has a unique story yet is bound with hope for compassion, peace and stability. In Walgaa in South Sudan’s Akobbo state, hundreds of refugees and returnees who have fled the war in Sudan are arriving with nothing to fend for themselves. In one of the camps, we meet a group of mothers sitting together, young and old, with their children while waiting for food rations from INGOs.

This year’s theme is “compassion” – a vital emotion - that allows human beings to stand in solidarity with one another regardless of color, race, gender, religion or nationality. Compassion breeds solidarity and this is the better side of our collective humanity. With it we see people’s suffering, demonstrate concern, lend a welcoming kind word, and open our hearts and even homes to refugees.

Roma communities in Ukraine often face discrimination and structural challenges, even as refugees from the war. They encounter difficulties at borders and refugee reception points, experiencing segregation and limited access to basic services. Negative stereotypes and prejudicial beliefs persist, both at home and in refugee hosting countries.

For more than a year, violence by armed groups in northern Burkina Faso has forced more than 1.1 million people to flee to safer areas in the south, risking losing everything. This is the case of Kadigueta Barry, 34, who fled the town of Barsalogho with her husband and four children, leaving everything behind.

In past years, Oxfam was able to provide Dignity Kits to women refugees. These include soap and other hygiene items, as well as underwear and menstrual pads. Row notes that refugees are missing this support, discontinued due to budget cuts. “We have no money to buy this in the market,” Row says. “And, as we are women, we need Dignity Kits."

The European Union has adopted a new approach to foreign policy dubbed the “Global Gateway,” supported by a new European Financial Architecture for Development (EFAD). These policies are a direct response to the state of permacrises that the world finds itself in. It seeks to inject 180-300 billion euros over a period of six years into the EU’s partner countries in the form of infrastructure projects, a green transition and digitalisation. 

Women are at the heart of the food production systems. Yet, women food producers are held back by barriers that prevent them from feeding their families and reinvesting in their livelihoods. Oxfam together with indigenous women, farmers and women food producers convened and create a space to exchange knowledge, wisdom and a vision for a better, just and feminist food system. We demand a fair #feministfoodsystem that empower women food producers, indigenous people and small-scale farmers! #FeministPower