Press releases

Oxfam is calling for immediate humanitarian and political action as the world stands on the brink of an unprecedented four famines.

An Oxfam award-winning film challenging the deep-rooted patriarchy in India cannot be screened in the country. The Central Board of Film Certification has refused to certify ‘Lipstick Under My Burkha’, saying the movie is “lady orientated” and contains “contentious sexual scenes, abusive words [and] audio pornography.”

Unless substantial funds are immediately provided to those working on the ground in South Sudan, humanitarian agencies will struggle to stop famine spreading across the country in the next few months.

Levels of hunger and malnutrition could deteriorate further with many more lives lost unless there is a substantial increase in funds to help over seven million people facing hunger in Nigeria, Niger, Chad and Cameroon.

The man-made tragedy of years of conflcit has resulted in a famine being declared in parts of South Sudan - the first to be announced in any part of the world in six years.

Members of the European Parliament from all political groups voted for tightening proposed rules against food speculation, but fell short of the votes needed to force the Commission to amend them.

With the latest military offensive starting any day, Oxfam is deeply concerned for the safety of families trapped in western Mosul where narrow, densely-populated streets could become a death trap. 

The agencies call on all parties to the conflict to protect civilians, facilitate safe passage of those trapped in conflict areas, allow humanitarian access to those in need and cease damage to vital infrastructure.

EU leaders in Malta say they are committed to human rights and international law, but their support for a deal that Italy has struck with Libya exposes refugees and migrants to suffering and death, Oxfam says.