UN Global Humanitarian Appeal 2022, Reaction

In reaction to the launch today of the UN Global Humanitarian Plan for 2022, Oxfam Global Programs Director, Lydia Zigomo, said:

"Around the world today, humanitarian need is at its highest-ever level, and what is worse is that the international community has long known all the terrible causes behind it. The people who are most in need of help have been ignored as rich nations have turned inwards in response to the COVID-19 crisis - hording vaccines, continuing their huge carbon emissions, and closing their borders to those seeking safety. 

Around 274 million people worldwide, many of whom are women and girls, are experiencing unimaginable suffering because of three lethal Cs – climate change, conflict and COVID-19. They urgently need help. For this reason, the UN is asking for the world’s largest appeal to date, a 17 percent increase compared to last year, and rich nations must step up to avoid a catastrophic failure ahead. 

Oxfam calls upon all governments, especially the rich nations who are most responsible for the climate crisis and vaccine inequality, to fulfill their obligations and channel more funding to match the humanitarian need and help immediately to save lives. Governments and the international community must ensure a more coordinated response to help communities rebuild their lives, ensuring that women and local organizations on the frontline of the humanitarian response are better funded."