hygiene

Floods and heavy rains across Niger have destroyed crops less than two months before harvest, compounding the country's existing food crisis. Flooding has killed at least six people, left thousands homeless, ruined crops and forced hungry families to crisis point.

More than 1.3 million people are displaced, dependant on emergency relief to survive. But dwindling contributions from the international community are forcing humanitarian organizations to close programs.

Oxfam's assessment of the damage of Saturday's earthquake to the south of Chile is now well underway. Our team of logisticians and water engineers split in two and headed for two locations – Constitución and Concepcion.

Typhoon Parma struck the Philippines on Saturday. The storm is the country's second in eight days. The capital, Manila, escaped the worst of the storm, but the north has been harder hit. Manila has been experiencing heavy rainfall since Friday evening.

Manila, Philippines — International aid agency Oxfam today urged the Philippine government to look at environmental sanitation and safe water as the two key needs of women, men and children affected by Typhoon Ketsana.

Oxfam-funded local organizations in West Sumatra are on aid missions in the earthquake-hit area ready to distribute 2,400 sheets of tarpaulins for
emergency shelter, hygiene kits and clothing said the international agency today.

Access to water and sanitation facilities in Ghana is low, particularly in rural areas. Only 50 percent of the rural population in Ghana has access to water.