Global charitable foundation Oxfam is planning to lay off about 1,4500 employees and close down operations in 18 countries. The organization had been facing losses for a long time since the Haiti sex abuse scandal in 2018, and the losses piled up after the coronavirus pandemic, as reported by the Guardian.
In an official press release, the organization said that its finances have deeply been impacted due to the pandemic. Due to the closing of shops and canceled fundraisers, a lot of Oxfam affiliates have been hit.
“Oxfam currently operates in 66 countries and 20 affiliates,” the organization said.
“It will retain its physical presence in 48 countries, six of which it will explore as new independent affiliate members. It plans to increase resources to some of these programs and refocus how each works, according to the different specific needs of local people. It will phase out 18 of its country offices,” the organization added.
The countries where the organization is closing its operations include, Thailand, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Haiti, Dominican Republic, Cuba, Paraguay, Egypt, Tanzania, Sudan, Burundi, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Benin, Liberia, and Mauritania.
This move is said to be affecting around 1,4500 of its 5,000 strong workforce and 700 out of nearly 1,900 partner organizations. However, the charity has said that it will honor its existing commitments before the changes.
Oxfam International Interim Executive Director Chema Vera said the organisation will deepen its footprint in some countries. “In some countries, Oxfam will have a deeper footprint as we focus our program resources and strengthen our local partnerships to maximize impact,” he said. “Inevitably, we have had to make some very difficult choices about where we will no longer have a physical presence. This reorganization will take time to complete.”
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