Press releases

Runaway inequality has created a world where 62 people own as much wealth as the poorest half of the world’s population – a figure that has fallen from 388 just five years ago, according to an Oxfam report published today ahead of the annual gathering of the world’s financial and political elites in Davos.

Runaway inequality has created a world where 62 people own as much wealth as the poorest half of the world’s population combined, according to an Oxfam report published today ahead of the annual gathering of the world’s financial and political elites in Davos.

Only a complete end to the siege in Madaya, and in other beseiged areas such as Fua’a and Kafraya, together with guarantees for sustained aid deliveries alongside humanitarian services will alleviate the crisis in these areas. Oxfam and other leading aid agencies warn that this one off permission to deliver will be insufficient given the current shocking reported levels of malnutrition.

An inadequate response to El Nino will put an already overstretched humanitarian system under intense strain and expose tens of millions more people to the extreme risk of hunger, homelessness and disease. Funding is urgently required to prevent millions more women, children and men around the world from going hungry, suffering water shortages, falling ill and seeing their livelihoods collapse.

The effects of a super El Niño are set to put the world’s humanitarian system under an unprecedented level of strain in 2016 as it already struggles to cope with the fallout from conflicts in Syria, South Sudan, Yemen and elsewhere.The El Niño weather system could leave tens of millions of people facing hunger, water shortages and disease next year if early action isn’t taken to prepare vulnerable people from its effects. 

The recent World Trade Organization deal made in Nairobi fails to deliver what is urgently needed, while the US and the EU continue to push for regional rather than international agreements, said Oxfam International's Campaigns and Advocacy Director, Celine Charveriat. 

As the number of people fleeing to Europe passes one million, Oxfam is calling on the international community to address what is a global crisis. The uncomfortable truth is that the conflicts and brutality fuelling refugee migration have grown in recent years to unprecedented levels. 

Oxfam is dismayed by the results of the European summit, which has strengthened a security-led approach to border control as the principal response of Europe to the plight of people arriving at its borders.

On the second anniverary of the start of the conflict in South Sudan, civilians are paying the price of the warring parties’ failure to implement the peace agreement signed in August. Two years on, out of 32 key requirements that should have already been implemented as part of the deal only three have been fully accomplished. Fighting continues despite the ceasefire, with civilians being targeted and new battle lines being drawn in less affected areas.

Oxfam said it is vital that governments return to the negotiating table before the new agreement takes effect from 2020 to strengthen pledges of emissions cuts and agree to new finance levels.