The appointed charity for National Curry Week 2008 and National Eating Out Week 2008 is Oxfam
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Oxfam has worked in South Asia for more than 50 years. The focus of our programme in this region is to help both the poor and the vulnerable, and the funds raised during National Curry Week will support the following projects(for further information http://www.oxfam.org.uk/what_you_can_do/events/curryweek/index.htm ):
The River Basin Project
(Bangladesh, India, Nepal)
The Ganges/Brahmaputra River Basin is one of the most disaster-prone regions in the world. Many of the 180 million people who live here are poor, and during the rainy season are frequently overwhelmed by floods and other life-threatening extremes of weather.
Each year millions face losing their homes, crops, animals, livelihoods, and even their lives in floods caused by the monsoon rains, which fall from June to September. During this time, the region receives more than 80 per cent of its annual rainfall.
The River Basin Programme, which was launched in 1999, helps to reduce homelessness, casualties, and the loss of possessions and livelihoods that occur during the monsoon floods. It also helps ensure that people's lives and their abilities to earn a living are disrupted as little as possible.
The programme provides safer places for people to shelter during floods, as well as boats and safe roads for reaching the shelters. Food storage, clean drinking water and good sanitation are provided and are available all year round
The 'We Can' Campaign to end all violence against women
(Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka)
Annie Bungeroth/Oxfam
Violence against women is the most pervasive and least-recognised human rights violation in South Asia. One in every two women in the region experiences violence in her daily life. Social, cultural, political, economic and legal factors in the region combine to leave women vulnerable to community-adapted violence.
This popular campaign aims to mobilise a large number of individuals, and communities to accept responsibility, and act together to prevent violence against women. Supporters will challenge and help to change attitudes and practices. The We Can campaign aims at work with large numbers of organisations, individuals, institutions and corporate bodies at national and regional level.
BACKGROUND TO OXFAM
In 1942 The Oxford Committee for Famine Relief was set up. Oxfam works with others to overcome poverty and suffering. We are an independent organisation, registered as a charity, affiliated to Oxfam International, with partners, volunteers, supporters and staff of many nationalities – part of a global movement to build a just and safer world.
We are a catalyst for overcoming poverty. To achieve the greatest impact, we work on three inter-linking fronts:
* Saving lives by responding swiftly to provide aid, support and protection during emergencies
* Developing programmes and solutions that empower people to work their way out of poverty
* Campaigning to achieve lasting change
We believe that:
* All human lives are of equal value. Everyone has fundamental rights – these must be recognised and upheld at all times
* Poverty makes people more vulnerable to conflict and natural disasters. Much of this suffering is unnecessary and must be relieved
* People’s vulnerability to poverty and suffering is increased by unequal power relations based on, for example, gender, race, class, caste and disability; women, who make up the majority of the world’s poor people, are especially disadvantaged. Unequal power relations must be addressed wherever they occur
* In a world rich in resources, poverty is a morally indefensible injustice which must and can be overcome. Poverty, vulnerability and suffering are not pre-ordained events. All too often, poverty is the result of decisions taken, intentionally or unintentionally by those in power. Unjust policies and practices, nationally and internationally must be challenged and removed
* With the right resources, support, and training, people living in poverty can solve their own problems. We all have a personal responsibility to work together to overcome poverty and suffering.
Oxfam GB is a member of Oxfam International. Registered charity no. 202918