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Changing attitudes to women through theatre – Aceh, December 2007
Ensuring equal rights for men and women is a core part of Oxfam’s tsunami response in Aceh. With the help of one of the Indonesian province’s most famous storytellers, Oxfam is taking a theatre show on the road to help change attitudes toward women.
Permaculture takes root – Aceh, December 2007
Lamsujen used to be the frontline of Aceh’s 30-year conflict. But since the tsunami, Aceh has been at peace, and with Oxfam support, this fertile, tranquil spot has become home to the province’s only permaculture school.
Housing the most in need – Sri Lanka, December 2007
Ponnomma is looking forward to moving into her house. The 54-year-old widow has never lived in a house like this before. It is one of 600 low-cost houses being built by Oxfam partners in Sri Lanka for poor families who were indirectly affected by the tsunami.
Artificial reefs give hope to tsunami fishermen – India, December 2007
The tsunami severely depleted fish stocks in southern India, causing further misery to communities already traumatised by the disaster. In the first initiative of its kind in India, Oxfam partner CEE is creating artificial fish habitats to boost the fish population and with it the livelihoods of vulnerable communities.
Brush strokes – Aceh, September 2006 (PDF)
Mahmulia’s navy blue t-shirt is flecked canary yellow; her loosely-tied long dark brown hair, lightly speckled; her light-coloured trouser pants, marked with brown paint: Mahmulia, 26, is a trainee painter.
A roof over their heads – Sri Lanka, October 2006 (PDF)
Malika and her family are taking part in Oxfam Australia’s innovative housing program in Sri Lanka.
Bovines and biogas – Sri Lanka, October 2006 (PDF)
Bovines and biogas are providing a comprehensive livelihood solution for some women in southern Sri Lanka.
Back to work - India, August 2006 (PDF)
We are committed to helping people affected by the tsunami to create sustainable livelihoods as well as preventing more people becoming trapped in poverty. Oxfam's Marie Banu caught up with three Indian men and women who are busy getting back to work.
Sowing seeds of hope in Sri Lanka - Sri Lanka, May 2006 (PDF)
Oxfam's Nalini Kasynathan meets Malika, a Sri Lankan woman whose life has changed for the better thanks to Oxfam Australia’s livelihoods program.
Taking shelter - Sri Lanka, April 2006 (PDF)
Iranganae's family were living some 15km west of Hambantota in southern Sri Lanka before the tsunami hit. Iranganae tells Oxfam’s Alison Cleary about life after the tsunami and of her efforts to build a new home for her family.
Siriyigama spice - Sri Lanka, April 2006 (pdf 13kb)
Oxfam Australia has been working with the Siriyigama community for more than ten years. Now, post-tsunami, the agency is working with community members to provide livelihood and shelter programs. Oxfam’s Alison Cleary meets five women who, with the help Oxfam’s livelihoods program, are running a successful spice business.
New shelters built with Aussie 'green' timber - Sri Lanka, December 2005 (pdf 121k)
To help reduce the burden on precious forests in Sri Lanka and Aceh, Oxfam Australia is exporting sustainable, renewable Australian plantation pine for use in reconstruction programs in tsunami-affected areas. The timber is being used to build homes, schools and community centres.
Family reunites in new home - Indonesia, November 2005 (PDF)
After losing their house, their business and all their belongings in the tsunami, Zainal Abidin and family were then forced to live apart for eight months in temporary accommodation in separate towns. Thanks to Oxfam, the family has been reunited in a new semi-permanent home in Lhokseudu, Aceh.
Mushroom farming - Sri Lanka, December 2005 (PDF)
Local cooks are adding a new ingredient to their fiery curries thanks to an income-generation scheme set up to help Sri Lankan women affected by the tsunami.
The art of sound - Indonesia, November 2005 (PDF)
Rudy Ganawan is an artist who has had a hearing impairment since he was a child. He moved to Meulaboh, Aceh after his house in Banda Aceh was destroyed in the tsunami and now works with Oxfam painting banners and other materials to support Oxfam's public health promotion work.
Forging new bonds - Sri Lanka, November 2005 (PDF)
Australian timber, donated by Oxfam Australia, is being used to build community centres, preschools and sewing rooms at transitional housing sites in Vattavan, Sri Lanka. These buildings help to strengthen bonds between residents and restore a sense of normality to their lives.
Building a shelter - Sri Lanka, November 2005 (PDF)
Oxfam Australia's shelter construction program involves extensive consultation with communities about the design and location of the shelter to ensure they meet the needs of the families who will live in them. Key players in the program talk us through the process of constructing and designing a temporary shelter.
The strength of community - Sri Lanka, November 2005 (PDF)
Oxfam Australia's South Asia Program Coordinator Nalini Kasynathan has visited Sri-Lanka's tsunami-devastated regions many times, both before and since the tsunami. Here she reflects on Oxfam Australia's emergency response to the disaster over the past 12 months and the strength of local communities in rebuilding their lives.
Mariyamma's story - India, August 2005 (PDF))
Before the tsunami Mariyamma was involved in a community-self-help group in Andhakaranadi, India, which dried fish. Despite losing everything in the tsunami, Mariyamma has been able to revive the business thanks to a loan from Oxfam Australia and the support of this pre-existing community structure.
Driving change in Aceh - Indonesia, August 2005 (pdf 53k)
More than 300 becak drivers in Banda Aceh lost their lives in the tsunami. The remaining 300 drivers have no homes, no vehicles and no income. Oxfam is helping them get back on the road by providing loans to help them purchase new becaks.
Supporting the forgotten people - India, July 2005 (PDF)
The Irula tribal people are among the most marginalised groups in Indian society. After the tsunami, they were largely overlooked for relief, despite losing homes, livelihoods and family members. Oxfam Australia was one of the first international non-government organisations to provide assistance.
The fibre of life - Sri Lanka, July 2005 (PDF)
To help support their families after the tsunami, five enterprising women, all neighbours, decided to start a rope-making business. Oxfam Australia provided the women with coir fibre and a rope-making machine and after just a few weeks they have already made a small profit.
Restoring Aceh brick by brick - Indonesia, June 2005 (PDF)
Join Oxfam America's Elizabeth Stevens as she journeys through Aceh and witnesses how Oxfam is helping to rebuild tsunami-affected communities by constructing shelters, supporting livelihood projects and replanting vegetation.
The power of many - Sri Lanka, June 2005 (PDF)
Hambantota is one of Sri Lanka's poorest districts and one that was devastated by the tsunami. Oxfam Australia was one of the first agencies on the scene, providing relief and support to affected villagers and helping the communities to form livelihood groups to generate income and provide a collective voice.
Supporting women's rights - Sri Lanka, June 2005 (PDF)
Women in some of Sri Lanka's small coastal communities traditionally face obstacles such as violence, exploitation, limited opportunities and no decision-making rights. Oxfam Australia is supporting women and girls in these tsunami-devastated communities to ensure their needs are met.
Fairer fishing returns - Sri Lanka, June 2005 (PDF)
Fishing communities were the hardest hit by the tsunami with more than 60,000 fishing households in Sri Lanka displaced and nets and fishing boats destroyed. Oxfam Australia is helping these communities restore their livelihoods and reduce their dependence on external relief.
Profile: Gayathri's story - Sri Lanka, June 2005 (PDF)
Oxfam Australia's Thangathurai Gayathri was part of a team that started organising relief assistance four hours after the tsunami struck. She shares her insights into Oxfam Australia's work in the Batticaloa District since the tsunami and the challenges that lay ahead.
Giving families hope - India, April 2005 (PDF)
Babini, Kumar and their two boys had only just moved into their newly-built home when the tsunami struck the village of Peria Kalapet. They now sleep in a cattle shed belonging to a friend. Oxfam Australia is helping the family to find its feet by providing staple foodstuffs, essential kitchen items and livelihood grants.
Providing a lifeline - India, April 2005 (PDF)
Jayageetha's family was among the luckier tsunami survivors. While they lost all their belongings, their house was only partially destroyed. Oxfam Australia has helped families like theirs across the coastal belt of South India cope during the aftermath by providing food and other essential items.
Helping feed families - India, April 2005 (PDF)
Selva Ghandi and her family fled their home in the small coastal community of Panagakattu Colony, as tsunami waters rose on all three sides of the village. They returned to find their house destroyed and all their belongings washed away. Oxfam Australia is providing food to help Selva's family endure the hardship.
One mother's story - Indonesia, April 2005
Usnaya Sahib is living under an awning in a camp that Oxfam's Indonesian partner agency has set up on Nias Island. When the Nias earthquake shook their village, they fled to the mountains fearing another tsunami. When they returned, they found Oxfam already waiting with water, eggs and rice. This is her story.