The international confederation Oxfam was founded in 1995, formed by a group of like-minded independent non-government organizations who wanted to work together internationally to reduce the devastating impact of poverty through collaborative efforts. The name “Oxfam” comes from the Oxford Committee for Famine Relief, founded in Britain during the Second World War in 1942. This group of Oxford citizens campaigned for grain ships to be sent through the allied naval blockade to provide relief for women and children in enemy-occupied Greece. As the situation in Europe improved, Oxfam’s attention shifted to the needs of people in developing countries.

The many branches of Oxfam are working to become part of a movement, which is capable of coordinating global responses to global issues. We are aiming to create ways of working and structures appropriate to global action in a complex and closely-knit world.