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Farmers speak to Oxfam of heartache at losing crops, herds as they relocate to relief camps

Oxfam is drawing attention to the lowering of expectations ahead of the next UN climate summit in Cancun, predicting the growing gap between what poor countries need and what rich countries are willing to do will stall future negotiations.

In four of the worst affected areas of the Khyber Paktankhwa (formally NWFP) and Punjab Province, Oxfam and partners are repairing damaged water systems and trucking drinking water to those stranded or displaced from their homes.

Oxfam launches a rapid relief effort to reach almost 400,000 people with clean water, sanitation kits and hygiene supplies.

Photo: Allan Lissner

Team Trendelenburnz crosses with three members in 18 hours, 25 minutes while Team Endure crosses the finish line in 19hrs, 27 min.

World leaders allow continued violation of rights

Trailwalker Canada 2010 got underway in rainy conditions but high spirits this morning, with 500 hikers ready to take on the challenge of walking 100 km of the Ganaraska Trail to raise $500,000 for Oxfam's work.

Released on the eve of the Kabul Conference, the briefing paper makes clear that there has been much talk and little action in Aghanistan, to the detriment of ordinary Afghans.

International donors must make a $20 billion cash infusion to the Global Fund over the next three years if the 2001 promise of providing universal HIV and AIDS treatment, care and prevention by 2010 is to be met, international agency Oxfam said today in advance of the world AIDS conference in Vienna.

Oxfam Trailwalker Canada 2010 is a team fundraising challenge like no other – a 100-km hike through the Ganaraska Trail in under 48 hours.

Countries must use every available minute to draw up a new international arms treaty that could save thousands of lives every year, aid groups from around the world said Monday as negotiators from 192 governments began formal talks at the United Nations.

"In parts of the Sahel, people are scavenging for wild leaves and seeds, and drinking dirty water. Whole villages are starving and desperate for food with children, nursing mothers, and the elderly particularly at risk,” said Kirsty Hughes, an Oxfam director of policy & advocacy. “In aid ministries around the world, they know this is happening, they know what needs to happen, and they know that the last time there was a slow response to a major food crisis there in 2005, delays cost lives and it took years for people to recover. The question is: Why don't you act?"

Oxfam believes that protest is an integral component of active citizenship, we do not condone the acts of violence that erupted in Toronto’s streets on June 26th. 

Photo Credit: Kelvin Abong

“After the G8 dropped the ball on aid, the G20 missed their chance to score against poverty by failing to move towards a Robin Hood Tax on banks,” said Mark Fried, Oxfam spokesperson. “With all eyes on the World Cup, a determined Canadian defence held the US and Europeans to a goalless draw in the big game of the day for Africa.”

Photo Credit: M Kuhn

As the G8 Summit comes to a close, international agency Oxfam criticized the leaders for their failure to deliver on their promises and for trying to divert attention by cobbling together a small initiative for maternal and child health.