In a crisis as complex and humanly devastating as Syria’s, numbers tell only part of the story:  Of the estimated 1.5 million people who have fled the country, more than half are children. That’s more than 750,000 young refugees from one place.

It’s a number that shocks for a fleeting moment—until it’s bumped aside by the next: 4.25 million people displaced inside Syria.  And the next : 6.8 million within the country in urgent need of assistance.

The enormity of these numbers obscures the reality behind them. They are crisis stats, a tidy way to help categorize an emergency and park it in a part of your consciousness where you can be aware of it, but not deeply bothered by it—until you hear the words of Reema, a young Syrian poet and refugee, read in the audio slideshow above by Natasha Milet-Carty, a young American school girl.

Reema, who is afraid to reveal her true identity, speaks for every child wrenched from the security of home and confronted by unbearable destruction. And in Natasha’s narration, you hear the longing and loss of that generation. The fighting has destroyed Reema’s house, her school, her dreams, she says.

But one thing it can’t kill is love.

“All I want is to live in my country in freedom,” writes Reema. “Syria, my beloved country, I love you.”

Learn more about how Oxfam is helping Syrian refugees and donate now to support these efforts. Read the rest of this entry »

Right now the American Petroleum Institute is waging a legal battle in Washington to block key sections of the 2010 Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act– passed by Congress and signed by President Obama– that requires oil companies to divulge what they pay governments.

Some of the same companies supporting the suit, like Chevron, are also say they support the Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative, which is meeting in Sydney this week to promote more disclosure of oil, gas, and mineral resource revenues.

Chevron’s page on the EITI web site says “Chevron believes that the disclosure of revenues received by governments and payments made by extractive industries to governments could lead to improved governance in resource-rich countries. The transparent and accurate accounting of these funds contributes to stable, long-term investment climates, economic growth and the well-being of communities… Our commitment to promoting revenue transparency in (sic) reflected in our participation in the multistakeholder Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI). Chevron, which continues to support the efforts of the Oslo-based EITI Secretariat, was elected to serve as a full member of the EITI board in 2009.”

OK so we are asking: Does Chevron support resource revenue transparency or not, and if so why has the company not publicly disavowed its support of the API law suit?

Right now we are calling on Chevron, ExxonMobil, BP, and Shell to drop their support of the API suit. You can help: Check out our new video, share it through your social networks, and take the action to call on Big Oil companies to be honest, support resource revenue transparency, and drop the law suit in Washington.

A couple of months ago, we invited you to submit your photos and videos to produce a crowd-sourced video set to an acoustic version of Coldplay’s “In My Place.” Now, we can share the resulting film, which is drawn from footage submitted by thousands of fans in 55 countries:

The concept and film was created by award-winning director Mat Whitecross to echo the dislocation and displacement thousands of families experience as a result of land grabs. (For one example, see this compelling series of photos of families affected by land grabs in Cambodia).

The film shows people from Argentina to Indonesia moving something favorite, personal, or familiar from their home to somewhere it doesn’t belong. Others show people doing something personal and familiar totally out of place, such as actor Dominic Cooper taking a nap outside in the freezing city of Budapest and the band Wolf Gang jamming in the street. Singer/songwriter Ed Sheeran also makes an appearance holding a sign in support.

Coldplay, who have been working with Oxfam since 2003, said they were happy to break new ground with a crowd-sourced video. “Not only are Coldplay fans very good-looking but they’re also incredibly creative,” said the band. “We’re proud that they’ve dedicated their collective talent to this important cause.”

Here’s a real treat for chocolate lovers: proof that no company is too big to listen to customers like you.

Exactly one month ago, Oxfam launched the Behind the Brands scorecard with a call for consumers to “change the way the food companies that make your favorite brands do business.” We kicked off the effort by asking you to take action in support of women cocoa farmers around the world, many of whom face poverty, low wages, and discrimination.

In an incredible response, more than 65,000 people sent messages asking companies to improve their policies and help women cocoa growers get a fair deal. Tens of thousands of you also tweeted, shared our messages on Facebook, and attended events around the country. (See some examples in the video below.)

Today, thanks to your efforts, two of the world’s biggest chocolate companies have shown they’re listening. Mars and Nestlé have agreed to do more to “know and show” how women are being treated in their cocoa supply chains, to commit to a plan of action, to work to sign on to the UN Women’s Empowerment Principles, and to work with industry organizations to address gender issues. (Learn more about their commitments here.) We’re encouraged by their commitments and the effects these  will ultimately have on the women who grow and pick the key ingredient in our favorite chocolate treats.

“Women cocoa farmers and consumers around the globe have made their voices heard,” said Alison Woodhead, manager for Oxfam’s Behind the Brands campaign. “Mars and Nestlé have taken important steps to show the farmers they rely on, their customers, and the rest of the food industry that they care about the conditions women face in their supply chains.”

Oxfam is looking forward to working with Mars and Nestlé to ensure that they keep their promises to women cocoa farmers. For now, help maintain the momentum by calling on another of the world’s biggest chocolate companies, Mondelez International (maker of products like Oreos), to follow suit. Add your voice today.

Sometimes people ask me why Oxfam is involved in pushing for an international Arms Trade Treaty. What’s it got to do with righting the wrong of poverty? Everything.

The massive and uncontrolled global trade in weapons causes misery and suffering beyond comprehension. Guns and ammunition in the hands of war criminals and extremists can destabilize whole regions, forcing countries to squander resources they should be spending on things that would improve people’s lives—like schools and medical clinics, clean water and roads. For poor countries that have yet to develop durable education, health, and transportation systems, armed conflict is particularly devastating. It feeds poverty.

To help you understand what the treaty is all about and why we need it now, we’ve put together the short video above. Take a good look, share it with your friends, and then tell President Obama to support a strong international Arms Trade Treaty.

It’s no secret that chocolate companies like Mars, Nestlé, and Mondelez target women with their advertisements. But when it comes to how the companies deal with women in their supply chains…it’s a mess.

Women in chocolate supply chains face, inequality, hunger, and poverty. They are often paid less than men and have less access to training and other resources that would make their lives better. When they face discrimination or abuse at work, many women have no way to complain or fight back. But companies are doing little to address these problems.

To really drive home this disconnect, here are some of the lamest, most patronizing chocolate ads that target women. Did we miss any?  Share your favorite examples in the comments section and take action to tell Mars, Mondelez, and Nestlé to shape up: www.behindthebrands.org/actnow

1. Remember Oreo mini-Cakesters? Yah me neither.

(Oreo mini-Cakesters, owned by Mondelez)

2. This product seems to have been named through a word-association game. “Quick say 5 words that will appeal to women. GO!”

(Skinny Cow Dreamy Clusters Candy, owned by Nestle)

3. Technically this Twix spot appears to be trying to reach men.  But never miss a chance to offend women in the process!

(Twix, Owned by Mars)

4. Wherein we show that ads can be condescending (and super awkward) in any language.

(Nestlé Grand Chocolat, owned by Nestle)

DOVE is really a repeat offender…

5. We pretend that these ads don’t make us want to hurl. We’re only human.

(Dove chocolate, owned by Mars)

6. Did you know that the smoke monster from Lost does endorsement deals…

(Dove chocolate, owned by Mars)

7. Or that he is a professionally trained dancer…

(Dove chocolate, owned by Mars)

8. Apparently he also knows how put the moves on.

(Dove chocolate, owned by Mars)

IN CONCLUSION.

9. Presented without comment, Stories from the Sweet life…

SPECIAL BONUS!

These Dove “Chocumentaries” manage to hit nearly every cliché about women and chocolate:

As a Radiohead fan, I’m always proud to count the band among the list of great artists supporting Oxfam America. Ever since Haiti was devastated by a major earthquake in January 2010, Radiohead and their fans have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars to support Oxfam’s Haiti earthquake relief and recovery efforts, via a benefit concert, fan-sourced concert videos, and more.

Just last week, a group of fans released a new concert film of Radiohead’s show at New York City’s Roseland Ballroom on September 29, 2011—one of only two US shows the band played that year. (I was lucky enough to be there that night, along with a group of Oxfam concert volunteers who reached out to Radiohead fans before the performance.) The crowd-sourced video was created with the blessing of the band, who even contributed audio from the soundboard of the show.

The film, below, is free, but they are asking those who watch and download it to give to two great causes: Hurricane Sandy relief in the US and Oxfam America’s Haiti Earthquake Fund. As Oxfam’s programs in Haiti move more toward long-term rebuilding and recovery efforts, it’s good to know that Radiohead and their fans are still supporting the cause.

Michael Borum is the web manager at Oxfam America.

Has there ever been a better time in history to really bring stories to life inexpensively, with the narrative impact of film, and the reach of the Internet? Oxfam has for years embraced video as a storytelling medium. When done well, it’s hard to do much better to connect our audiences with the work we do. In the age of YouTube, it’s inevitable, and it’s consistent with the tried and true storytelling mantra: show, don’t tell.

This is one of the ideas underpinning the campaign Why Poverty?, which kicked off earlier this month. The unaffiliated campaign (Oxfam is not a participant), supported by more than 20 worldwide partners and broadcasters, has commissioned award-winning filmmakers to produce eight documentaries about poverty, along with some new and emerging voices, for a total of 30 shorter films. They’re taking on big issues and asking difficult questions through stories that are thought-provoking, nuanced, and utterly creative.

Most of us are by now familiar with the “KONY2012” phenomenon that was one of the most viral videos in recent memory. I think the Why Poverty? approach is often more subtle, and broadens the scope of poverty as a systemic, complex global issue that touches all of us in ways mere “viral” videos can’t or perhaps shouldn’t. I appreciate how these films illustrate stories that can be difficult to put solely into words or sound bites.

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In my quest to be the best-informed citizen I can be, I, like much of America, have been glued to the recent presidential debates. I’m smart enough to recognize that in addition to the actual debating of important issues, there’s a certain amount of gamesmanship and strategy employed by candidates at these events. However, like many people, I’ve been dismayed and disappointed with the blatant careless attitude both candidates (and their spokespeople) have had with being truthful and accurate. Trustworthiness, I would think, is the most basic quality a candidate for any office would want to display when given the chance.  Sadly, it seems this year that bluster is better strategy than honesty.

To prove my theory that I’m not the only one who feels this way, Oxfam supporter and cellist Ben Sollee released a new video today for his very timely song, “A Few Honest Words”.

“Like nearly everyone,” explained Ben, “my attention this week has been focused on Sandy and all of her devastating effects … There are so many people dealing with fundamental challenges in their lives at this moment: food, shelter, clean water, etc. These are things that are not debatable or points of policy; they are human needs. And as the country inevitably shifts its gaze back to the final stretch of the election, I’m hoping we can keep the human-to-human conversation going.”

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It’s not surprising that Mistura—Latin America’s most famous food festival, and one of the largest in the entire world—takes place in Peru. If you’ve ever been there, or even eaten at a Peruvian restaurant elsewhere, you know that the country’s cuisine is varied and unique (I’ve never tried chicha morada, or purple corn juice, anywhere else), and makes delicious use of fresh, seasonal ingredients.

But even though most of Peru’s food is produced within its borders, a lack of investment in rural areas–combined with other factors, like climate change—has left many Peruvian farmers facing poverty. In rural San Martin, for example, the Kichwa women I met earlier this year grew an amazing array of crops in their communal gardens, yet they said they had few opportunities to sell their produce and earn much-needed income for their families.

Oxfam’s GROW campaign (CRECE in Spanish) is working to increase the opportunities for small-scale farmers, especially women, in Peru and beyond. Here’s what Giovanna Vásquez, campaign coordinator in Perú, said about this short video, below, filmed by CRECE at Mistura last month:

“Close to half a million people attended the fifth edition of the Mistura food festival this September in Lima, Peru. For 10 days, Mistura featured the best dishes from renowned Peruvian cuisine, as well as thousands of products offered directly to consumers from more than 300 Peruvian producers.

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