humanitarian response

Today (Friday 31st October) marks the half way point in the UN’s Ebola response plan for West Africa which aims to bring the outbreak under control by the end of November. Since October 1st, we have seen some positive and encouraging steps. For example, pledges have reached almost $1 billion and several nations have offered military and other support.

Mistrust, rumor and myths about the origin and spread of Ebola are allowing the disease to thrive, the aid agency Oxfam is warning. 

At today’s EU summit, European leaders collectively pledged to raise their financial contribution to help respond to the Ebola crisis, bringing Europe’s total commitment to €1 billion.

More troops, funding and medical staff are urgently needed if we have a hope of stopping Ebola spiralling out of control, international agency Oxfam warns today.

The leaders of South Sudan have failed to set aside their differences, and fighting continues to ravage the country as a famine looms. 

The crisis in Gaza is fast spiralling out of control with water supplies critically low and a public health crisis imminent, Oxfam warned today

In reaction to the suspension of South Sudan mediation talks in Addis Ababa, Oxfam’s Acting Country Director in South Sudan, David Crawford, said:

Civilians fleeing from conflict in South Sudan are spiralling into debt and leaving behind important assets in their desperate search for safety.

Oxfam New Zealand has sent an emergency response team to Tonga today and is gearing up its aid efforts following reports of complete destruction left by Cyclone Ian to the northern islands of Ha’apai.