Saving lives and protect

Mariam, 25, mother of a child, fled attacks by armed groups in Burkina Faso and is receiving humanitarian aid in a camp for internally displaced people. Credit: Sylvain Cherkaoui / Oxfam

"When the attacks by armed groups became more and more frequent, I preferred to flee so as not to be a victim like other women, of violence or rape.” Mariam*, 25, mother of a child, receives humanitarian aid in a camp for displaced people in Kaya, Burkina Faso.
*The name has been changed. Credit: Sylvain Cherkaoui

“We survive only thanks to humanitarian aid. Despite the difficulties, thanks to god, we have a shelter. At least we can live.”

Kellou Ali*, 65. Female Nigerian Refugee, Sayam Refugee Camp, Niger *Name has been changed

Latest: discover our response to the COVID-19.

Oxfam provides humanitarian assistance and advocacy for the populations affected by major humanitarian crises: the Sahel crisis, the Lake Chad Basin crisis and the Central African crisis. These crises are characterized by massive population displacements, important protection needs, a constant increase in humanitarian needs; while access to some areas remains difficult or limited, and response plans are underfunded.

We work alongside local actors (government authorities, NGOs, civil society organizations, communities) to ensure that those most at risk are able to exercise their right to access safe drinking water, food, good sanitary conditions, and other basic needs, to be free from violence and coercion, and to regain control of their own lives in dignity.

We build the capacity and leadership of local and national actors to lead humanitarian responses because they know the context and are better positioned on the ground to play this key role.

We advocate with donors for fast, predictable, flexible and accessible funding mechanisms for local organizations, as well as for funding to reduce vulnerability to future crises.

Oxfam and its 72 partners in West Africa have been on the ground since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Together, we worked with more than 700,000 people, providing them with food, hygiene kits, access to clean water and protection.

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protection