• Congo in Conflict
• Floods in India and Nepal
• Sichuan earthquake
• Myanmar cyclone
• Snowstorm across China
THE YEAR 2008 IN PICTURES By Stanley So
European Union, Japan, Australia, and
Oxfam welcomed a step forward in
another decision that could have made
Canada, failed to commit to deeper
the negotiations that allows developing
a real difference to those suffering
cuts in their emissions and to providing
countries direct access to the Adaptation
the impact of the climate crisis. The
funds developing countries needed for
Fund, one of the most intractable issues
"elephant in the room" is still where
adaptation.
of this climate change conference.
the money for adaptation is going
However, I was deeply impressed by
This was an important decision on
to come from. We urgently needed a
the constructive efforts by developing
the crucial issues of accountability,
decision on increased future funding
countries, despite the huge domestic
effectiveness and control over the
for adaptation, but we didn’t get there.
poverty and development challenges
money available to poor countries for
According to Oxfam's estimates, at
they face. Mexico committed to halve
urgent adaptation needs.
least US$50 billion a year is needed to
their emissions by 2050. South Africa
The Adaptation Fund was established
help poor people face the impact of a
launched their national climate change
under the UN Framework Convention on
changing climate, and far more will be
plan. China issued a National Climate
Climate Change to support adaptation
needed if emissions are not cut fast or
Change Programme in 20 07, and
programmes in developing countries.
far enough.
published a white paper on climate
The aim is to protec t vulnerable
Rich countries, which have caused the
change, just before the conference.
communities from the impact of climate
crisis, must accept their responsibility to
The G77 group of countries and China
change and help them to adapt.
help people who are suffering from the
submitted proposals on technology
Reaching this decision to make
in 2007, international leaders adopted
and financial mechanisms in September
the Adaptation Fund accessible is an
People will die as a result.
the ‘Bali Action Plan’, an ambitious
2008. All these show that developing
important milestone, but it is a small
Delay is not an option
That’s the message I want to tell the
timeline for reaching an agreement to
countrie s have b e e n p roac tively
fraction of the progress that is needed
We can play a part in making sure
world after participating in the United
tackle climate change. It set a deadline
addressing climate change.
to help vulnerable communities adapt
that rich countries make a commitment
Nations Climate Conference in Poznan
for reaching a new global deal by the
Rich countries must stop finger–
to climate change and to ensure that an
to stop harming and start helping.
in December 2008.
end of 2009, in Copenhagen. It stated
pointing at developing countries,
ambitious climate change deal is agreed
Stanley So is a Policy Officer at Oxfam Hong Kong.
The general public tends to
that rich countries should commit to
and commit to emission reductions
in Copenhagen in 2009.
be indif ferent to international
deeper greenhouse gases emissions
of at least 25-40% by 2020, as well as
However, Oxfam denounced the
ne gotiatio n s ; they p ro bably s e e
cuts, and provide developing countries
to providing the resources urgently
stonewalling by rich countries on
international negotiations as distant
the finance and technology needed so
needed in developing countries to take
from people’s lives.
that they can adapt to climate change as
further action.
But climate talks are different. The
well as take voluntary actions to reduce
Many non- government organi-
climate crisis is more serious than the
their own emissions. The conference in
sations, including Oxfam, gathered
financial crisis, as many delegates at this
Poznan was the interim meeting on the
in Poznan. We organised exhibitions,
conference in Poznan stressed. Why? It
road to Copenhagen.
workshops, seminars, discussions,
is costing lives, especially in the most
I participated as a member of the
protests and other events, all aimed at
vulnerable countries. And it will cost
Oxfam International delegation, which
highlighting the urgency of the crisis
more if no immediate action is taken.
was an observer organisation in the
and the human cost of inaction. Oxfam
two–week conference.
used an ice sculpture to demonstrate
The poorest countries emit little but suffer most from the climate crisis. At the UN Climate Conference in Bali
I was hugely disappointed with how the rich countries, especially the
the urgency of the crisis and to ask for immediate action by rich countries.
Stanley So (right) at the United Nations Climate Conference in Poznan. December 2008.
climate crisis they have caused.
Asia 2OO8 in pictures Four huge disasters struck Asia in 2008, plus the ongoing war in Mindanao. First, just before the Lunar New Year last year, which
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is China’s major holiday, the worst snowstorm in 50 years hit the country. This is the one time of the year
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when many of the 200 million-plus migrant workers return home to their families, but the snow and ice halted transportation, and millions were stranded. The crisis affected nearly 100 million people. Oxfam Hong Kong has assisted people in 389 communities, urban and rural, across six provinces, allocating US$775,000 to the effort. Then, on May 2, a super-cyclone hit Myanmar – whole communities in the delta were submerged or battered, 2.4 million people were affected, and 130,000 people were killed or remain missing. Oxfam is working alongside 24 organisations based in the country;
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together, we are assisting over 800,000 people through
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the crisis. The Oxfam network as a whole has allocated US$5 million in the first five months, and plans to assist with US$10 million in three years. Ten days later, on 12 May, Buddha’s Birthday, a massive earthquake hit Sichuan and environs in China, killing 69,225 people and affecting 46 million people. So far, Oxfam Hong Kong has helped people in 125 communities, often remote villages unassisted by either the government or other NGOs. Priority has been to meet the needs of women, ethnic minorities, elderly, and people with disabilities. Relief and rehabilitation projects are coordinated out of our new office in
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Chengdu and in Hong Kong, our headquarters. Over the next five years, the plan is to allocate almost US$17million. In the middle of August, heavy monsoon rains led
1 Reaching the 369 villages with supplies was not easy for Oxfam Hong Kong.
to the worst floods in India and Nepal in 50 years – especially along the Kosi River near the border. When
2 The rope around this villager’s foot helps provide better traction through snow and ice.
the embankments broke open, the river changed its course. In all, 3.5 million people have been affected in the two countries, particularly in Bihar (India) and
3 Warm quilts for the family
Saptari and Sunsari (Nepal). Partially supported by the Hong Kong SAR Government’s Disaster Relief Fund, Oxfam Hong Kong responded with US$174,000 worth
4 Cyclone Nargis, with its 120 – 140 mph winds, struck just before the planting season, making hundreds of thousands of people homeless and affecting the food security of the entire country. 5 A simple community latrine – one of Oxfam’s early responses for better sanitation, and less disease. For a December 2008 update of Oxfam’s work, please visit: http://www.oxfam.org. hk/public/contents/45204
of urgent supplies, such as food, shelter, lights, mats, rope and firewood. Efforts are coordinated out of our
6 In Bihar, India, river embankments broke from the force of the floods. 7 Integrated Development Foundation, Oxfam Hong Kong’s partner organisation in Bihar, provided hand-operated pumps for better drinking water. 8 A homeless Nepalese woman waiting for aid in the worst floods in 50 years.
offices in New Delhi and Hong Kong.
Sichuan and the New Year Makou, where survivors of the earthquake help each other rebuild. Some families will be able to move into their new homes before the end of January, which is the Chinese New Year. Oxfam Hong Kong’s 521,000 Yuan support (about US$76,000) is also going towards a new 4.2km road through the mountains.
In Shishan, the site of Oxfam Hong Kong’s first rehabilitation project, on pig-raising. (The woman on the left is Zhai Fan, who heads Oxfam Hong Kong’s new office in Sichuan.) Launched in August, the first phase is assisting 77 families. Oxfam Hong Kong allocation: 128,000 Yuan (almost US$19,000).
War against women women against war
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Roy A. Dimayuga
Women suffer the most during conflict. Here, a Maguindanaon mother with her child expressed her desire to live a normal and peaceful life. Photo by Glenn Maboloc / Oxfam Great Britain
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Mylyn, a 38-year-old mother of two,
The women advocates from Luzon, Visayas,
remembers leaving her village in central
and Mindanao pushed for a greater role of
Mindanao. “They torched a house. The fire
women in peace processes and humanitarian
got so big… I ran fast… All I grabbed were the
protection. They called for the protection
wet clothes I had just washed. Then a minute
of civilians, for food assistance to reach all
later, I realized that I had left my youngest
including those in the hinterlands, for the
child sleeping inside the house. I threw away
dignity of all persons to be upheld even in
the basin of newly washed clothes… and
armed conflicts, to ban the arming of civilians
rushed back to get my child.”
to reduce violence and communal strife, and
The armed conflict in Mindanao is not
for adequate rehabilitation projects to return
merely a war among armed groups, but a war
a sense of normalcy and security for displaced
against women, a war that women do not
families.
want. “Although motherhood is a weapon a
“Too many civilians have become collateral
woman can wield to protect everything she
damage of war,” they said. “More than half
holds dear, she knows, painfully, that it is not
a million women, children, elderly, and non-
enough in a time of war,” says Glenn Moboloc,
combatant men have been displaced, caught
an Oxfam Media Officer, who interviewed
in the crossfire, and left without a way of
displaced people in central Mindanao.
making a living.”
At a recent forum in Davao City, also
The group collectively resolved to continue
on Mindanao Island, sixty women banded
to take part in consultations and dialogues,
to g e t h e r a n d m a d e d e m a n d s to t h e
to lobby for better legislation, to support
government. “As women who have been
activities of indigenous peoples, and to call
dreaming and working for peace, we hold
for the fulfillment of the UN Resolution 1325,
our woman president and this government
which aims to ensure security for women.
accountable. Instead of spending billions on this war that cannot be won, [the government should] provide basic services and implement social justice reforms that are due to all citizens.”
In Jiashan, a Qiang ethnic minority village. (The woman on the right is Xue Jinling, an Oxfam Hong Kong colleague based in Sichuan.)
This article draws on the statement made in September 2008 at the War against Women, Women Against War Forum supported by Oxfam and Nisa Ul Haqq Fi Bangsamoro. Glenn Maboloc also contributed. Roy A. Dimayuga is Central Mindanao Programme Manager with the Joint Oxfam Mindanao Programme, to which Oxfam Hong Kong contributes.
In Jialing, the site of Oxfam Hong Kong’s first infrastructure project – a 4.1km road. Jialing is remote – about 8 hours from Chengdu.
Here, residents prioritise their needs, such as better irrigation, a new road, agricultural training, and
Here, Oxfam Hong Kong colleagues based in Sichuan (from left to right) Liu Sheng, Zhai Fan and
preserving cultural traditions. Xue Jinling is explaining the words to the villager, who can not read. In the
Nie Liangfei meet with survivors in a temporary shelter. It was after this meeting that Oxfam Hong
end, they voted that irrigation work should come first. Oxfam Hong Kong’s support includes financial
Kong decided to allocate 543,000 Yuan (about US$79,000) for the community. The road will reduce the
assistance and training in project management.
cost of rebuilding homes in the short term, and will help create more development opportunities for the future. Expected completion date: February 2009.
people, and saw a friend of his hanging
“It’s by the grace of God that we have
from a tree with blood pouring from the
not yet been attacked,” says Ndayi, a parent
ears and nose.
with four children. “But during the night
Fidel, a soldier for six months, remembers being abducted, “The rebels said they’d
we can never be sure that we’re going to The family fled their village over a year
we didn’t have it… One day, I saw 60 bodies
ago, under a barrage of bullets, and have
dead in the battlefield. I knew I needed to
been living in the camp ever since.
escape or I’d end up dead myself.”
shinning with a white sheet
a Congolese NGO which Oxfam supports. Cajed helps children through the trauma, they work to prevent the re-recruitment of child soldiers, and they assist children adapt
A global petition against climate change: http://www.oxfam.org/en/campaigns/climatechange
wake up alive.”
spare me if my mother paid US$100, but
Fidel and Michel are now with Cajed,
OXFAM ACTION
OXFAM in the NEWS THREE CONGRATULATIONS – Environment, Health and Safety Asia Monitor Resource Center, Asian Network for the Rights of Occupational Accident Victims and China Labour Support Network
Rankin, a leading portrait and fashion
have been named as three of the most influential leaders in
photographer, said he wanted to show
environment, health and safety (EHS). Each organisation has been
Congolese people as “real human beings”
supported by Oxfam Hong Kong.
during his volunteer assignment with
Oxfam’s most recent collaboration with Asia Monitor Resource
Oxfam. He brought people in front of his
Center was in 2005, when the WTO met in Hong Kong and AMRC
white backdrop, where their individuality
advocated for better trade policies in regards to labour practices.
Armed men frequently raid the camps
does shine. “I didn’t really have a translator
Based in Hong Kong, AMRC focuses on labour issues across Asia.
in Kibati, demanding money, food and
but they all communicate in this brilliant
Asian Network for the Rights of Occupational Accident Victims,
mobile telephones. A few weeks ago, a
way by facial gesture... They all wanted
based in Bangkok, received support from Oxfam at the onset of its
boy was shot in the arm and a girl was
to be involved and do stuff and that kept
founding in 1997, and then again in 2003, when we enabled better
killed with a bullet to the head during one
me talking to them.” Before leaving the
links with labour groups in Hong Kong and Mainland China.
of these raids.
Congo, Rankin hung his pictures up in a
China Labour Support Network supports workers in southern
(To protect identities, Oxfam has changed
marketplace for everyone to come and see,
China on occupational health and safety issues. Oxfam has
the boys’ names and is not publishing their
and then, for two months, the images were
supported some of these projects, and CLSN has shared their
photographs.)
also exhibited outside the National Theatre
experiences on corporate social responsibility with us, particularly
in London.
regarding China’s apparel industry.
All photos by Rankin
For the full story, see: http://ehstoday.com/mag/50_influential_ehs_leaders/
just a boy Fidel and Michel are former child soldiers. Fidel is 14 years old, Michel 12.
to a civilian life again.
wake up alive?
Michel was abducted when he left his house to get some milk. He was forced to fight for four years, has shot at many
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from the CONGO
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VIETNAM: In December 2008, the government of Vietnam, represented by its Union of Friendship Organisations, awarded Oxfam Hong Kong for its work on poverty eradication over the past 20 years. Director General John Sayer (left) and Van Thi Minh Chau (right), our longest-serving employee in the country, received the medals and
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certificates.
MOKUNG Oxfam Hong Kong publishes this bi-monthly magazine in Traditional Chinese. Mokung, which means both “no poverty” and “infinity”, highlights a different aspect of development in each issue. The Editor is Tung Tsz-kwan. The current edition focuses on Climate
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1 Karo, 14, and her baby she named Happiness, even though Karo had been raped by soldiers. 2 Jean Mbehere, 30, a pregnant mother having 5 children. 3 Once a chef, Charles Kimanuka now relies on food aid in a refugee camp. 4 Banza Masamba and her 13 children walked for 4 days to reach a refugee camp. 5 Tumanini, 38, says, “This sewing machine feeds my family. If someone took this from me, they’d be taking my life.” 6 Antoinette wants the war over. Her husband was shot to death by a soldier.
Every day, Oxfam Hong Kong works alongside hundreds of groups around the world, from small NGOs to international bodies, from government departments of developing countries to community groups based in Hong Kong. Here are 6 ‘partner organisations’ that we are supporting for the first time.
Change. To subscribe: www.oxfam.org.hk/public/bookstore/?lang=big5 Mokung is online at www.oxfam.org.hk/public/contents/category?cid=1017&lang=big5
ONE O.N.E – Ox fam New s Emagazine – is uploaded monthly at www.oxfam.org.hk/one. To receive a copy in your inbox, please subscribe – it is free. To subscribe: www.oxfam.org.hk/one/subscribe.html
CHINA (MAINLAND) BEIJING GANSU
SHANDONG SICHUAN
N e w PartnerOrganisations
• Institute of Contemporary Chinese Economy, School of Economics, Central University of Nationalities • Longnan City Poverty Alleviation and Development Office • Wenxian County Poverty Alleviation and Development Office • WuDu Office of Poverty Alleviation and Development Leading Group, Longnan City • Shandong People's Publishing House • Qingchuan County Poverty Alleviation Office
In this edition of O.N.E, we highlight the
Qingchuan County Poverty Alleviation
Office. In Mainland China, every country has a government office which works to reduce the poverty of its population. Qingchuan, a rural county in Sichuan Province, has been ranked as the fifth hardest hit in the massive earthquake of May 2008. Many farmers are too poor to reconstruct
Hong Kong
www.oxfam.org.hk
their homes, and the county government also does not have the funding to assist. As some
17th Floor, 28 Marble Road, Northpoint, Hong Kong
families in Qingchuan will still be living in temporary shelters for the winter, Oxfam is providing
O. N .E is also on-line: www.oxfam.org.hk/one
US$82,000 worth of waterproof fabric and warm quilts to help 2,100 families in four poor and
Editor: Madeleine Marie Slavick (emagazine@oxfam.org.hk)
remote communities. In the first phase after the earthquake, Oxfam already provided food, medical supplies, sanitary supplies for women, and milk and Halal food for the Muslims in the area.
COVER: Rankin
The violence in the eastern Congo among many armed factions has killed about 5.4 million people over the past decade. Oxfam and other groups are urging world leaders to keep up the diplomatic pressure to find solutions to the conflict. As a short-term measure, Oxfam is providing aid for more than 100,000 people in four camps, and if safety allows, will further assist more people in other areas around Goma. Oxfam Hong Kong will be contributing to the effort.