Chief Operating Officer Tony McKimmie said the decision to close no way reflected the performance of Oxfam Australia’s valued staff and volunteers.
“We know this will be very difficult news for our staff and volunteers – and our customers – given how highly regarded Oxfam Trading has been over many years.
“We sincerely thank them all for their dedication and significant contribution to our core mission of tackling poverty.”
In the last 12 months alone, contributors have helped:
- support 87 producers;
- devour 13,446kg of Fairtrade certified chocolate; and
- provide $3.2M in payments to producers around the world.
Oxfam Australia is urging people to visit the Oxfam Australia website to learn how they can continue to help Oxfam tackle poverty.
The organisation’s ongoing mission is to work with partners and communities to find practical, innovative ways for people to lift themselves out of poverty and thrive. Its 13 program areas include Tackling Poverty, Aid and Development, Campaigning for Change, Emergencies, Ethical Trading, Food and Climate, Gender Equality, Health, Indigenous Australia, Inequality, Infrastructure and Environment, Water and Sanitation and Workers Rights.
For about 40 years, Oxfam has worked alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) peoples and their organisations to develop solutions and innovative answers to the issues that they believe are the most important. Donations assist it to foster Indigenous women’s political leadership, work with ATSI young people through the Wylak program, and enhance Indigenous advocacy, health and community action.
Unclean water, poor sanitation and unsafe hygiene practices have claimed more lives over the past century than any other cause – making this one of the world’s most urgent health issues. Oxfam Australia’s work in water and sanitation is far reaching, with donations helping to provide clean water, sanitation and life-saving hygiene education to families in Zambia, Vietnam, and beyond.
Oxfam Australia says that while, its stores and online trading are closing, people’s generous donations will continue to help it save lives.
“Together we can make a significant impact on the lives of millions of people around the world.”
