TheJakartaPost

Please Update your browser

Your browser is out of date, and may not be compatible with our website. A list of the most popular web browsers can be found below.
Just click on the icons to get to the download page.

Jakarta Post

Oxfam to shut offices, axe staff in virus fallout

News Desk (Agence France-Presse)
London, United Kingdom
Fri, May 22, 2020 Published on May. 22, 2020 Published on 2020-05-22T00:36:21+07:00

Change text size

Gift Premium Articles
to Anyone

Share the best of The Jakarta Post with friends, family, or colleagues. As a subscriber, you can gift 3 to 5 articles each month that anyone can read—no subscription needed!
The logo on the front of an Oxfam bookshop is photographed in Glasgow on Feb. 10, 2018.International charity Oxfam is to close 18 of its offices around the world, cutting nearly a third of its workforce, because of financial pressures caused by the coronavirus pandemic. The logo on the front of an Oxfam bookshop is photographed in Glasgow on Feb. 10, 2018.International charity Oxfam is to close 18 of its offices around the world, cutting nearly a third of its workforce, because of financial pressures caused by the coronavirus pandemic. (Agence France -Presse/Andy Buchanan)

I

nternational charity Oxfam is to close 18 of its offices around the world, cutting nearly a third of its workforce, because of financial pressures caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

The anti-poverty group said in a statement late Wednesday that the crisis had forced it to bring forward plans to restructure its international operations that began in 2018.

Lockdown restrictions in a number of countries have seen the non-profit shut shops and cancel fund-raising events, hitting revenue.

The belt-tightening comes on the back of already reduced donations following revelations of sexual abuse by some staff in Haiti in 2010.

Oxfam, which is a confederation of some 20 organizations, will shut offices in 18 countries, including in Afghanistan, Haiti, Cuba and Egypt, and axe 1,450 of 5,000 posts.

It will maintain a presence in 48 countries.

Oxfam said the streamlining will allow it to better target countries where it can have the most impact.

"We've been planning this for some time but we are now accelerating key decisions in light of the effects of the global pandemic," said executive director Chema Vera.

"This reorganization will take time to complete," he said, adding the charity felt "a deep sense of responsibility" to countries affected.

But he vowed: "We will do everything we can to ensure the people we work with will be able to look to the future with confidence. 

"This includes continuing work with partners and allies in countries where there will be no Oxfam office, to support social movements and influence governments and private sector for positive change."

 

 

Your Opinion Matters

Share your experiences, suggestions, and any issues you've encountered on The Jakarta Post. We're here to listen.

Enter at least 30 characters
0 / 30

Thank You

Thank you for sharing your thoughts. We appreciate your feedback.

Share options

Quickly share this news with your network—keep everyone informed with just a single click!

Change text size options

Customize your reading experience by adjusting the text size to small, medium, or large—find what’s most comfortable for you.

Gift Premium Articles
to Anyone

Share the best of The Jakarta Post with friends, family, or colleagues. As a subscriber, you can gift 3 to 5 articles each month that anyone can read—no subscription needed!

Continue in the app

Get the best experience—faster access, exclusive features, and a seamless way to stay updated.