Music is a powerful force that can make a significant difference!
Oxfam Musical Marathon is our annual music fundraising event. This event presents a unique opportunity for schools, organisations, and individuals to showcase their talents through performing Chinese and Western musical instruments and singing in a relay format, all while raising funds to support Oxfam’s poverty alleviation programmes in Hong Kong and globally.
This year's theme is "Music for Change: Creating a World Without Poverty." We warmly invite you to join us on 15 and 16 March at Maritime Square and Laguna City to showcase your musical talents and help build a world free from poverty. Clink here to learn more.
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Water Scarcity: A Catalyst for Poverty and a Barrier to Progress
Water scarcity is not just an environmental issue—it’s a profound driver of poverty, undermining health, livelihoods, and economic stability worldwide. Over two billion people lack access to safe drinking water, and 3.5 billion are without adequate sanitation facilities1. These staggering numbers have only grown over the past two decades, painting a stark picture of a global crisis that demands urgent attention.
When water is scarce, the consequences are far-reaching. Communities face failing sewage systems, skyrocketing water costs, and heightened risks of deadly diseases like cholera. Scarce water leads to waterborne diseases and contributes to malnutrition, claiming 1.4 million2 lives annually, while millions more suffer from preventable health issues. The ripple effects of water scarcity extend beyond health, crippling agriculture, industry, and economic growth.
Climate change is intensifying these challenges. Developing countries, already vulnerable to climate shocks, are bearing the brunt of more frequent and severe droughts and floods. Over 800 million people are at risk of droughts3, while twice as many live in flood-prone areas. For smallholder farmers—who rely on water for their livelihoods—scarcity means reduced productivity, lost income, and heightened food insecurity.
Oxfam is committed to helping smallholder farmers gain access to adequate water resources. Irrigation, a lifeline for stable agricultural production, not only boosts profitability but also creates jobs and stabilizes food markets, offering a pathway out of poverty.
Join Oxfam in Combating Water Scarcity and Contributing to Poverty Reduction:
- 27% of the world's population lacks access to safely managed drinking water.
- Over 2 billion people lack access to safe drinking water.
- 4 billion people experience severe water scarcity for at least one month each year.
- 3.5 billion people lack safely managed sanitation.
- At least 1.7 billion people use a drinking water source contaminated with faeces in 2022.
- Water scarcity resulting in 1.4 million annual deaths and widespread health issues.
Source: World bank, World Health Organization, UNICEF, 2024.
Water Scarcity and Climate Change in Nepal
In Nepal, springs are the lifeblood of mountain communities, with 80% of the population relying on them for survival. Yet, 73% of these springs are declining, and 2% have already dried up. Reduced rainfall, deforestation, severe droughts, and the impacts of earthquakes have left families struggling to access water.
Lila Maan Bada Shakya, a farmer and Village Maintenance Worker, shares, “We depend on the Jilim River for water, but it has started to dry up completely during the winter.” For residents like Bhul Maya, the dry months bring even greater hardship, forcing her to seek water from communal taps in distant villages.
Women in the village in Nepal are carrying water on their backs because the spring has not filled up, even though the rainy season should have started. It is difficult for them to get enough water for their families.
Oxfam is working tirelessly to address these challenges. We’ve introduced sustainable water management systems, installed water pumps, established water treatment plants, and supported communities in watershed management. By maintaining water supply facilities and addressing allocation challenges, we’ve already brought relief to 54 households through a water scheme built in partnership with local communities.
Rama Tripathi (40), who is a resident of Benighat Rorang Rural Municipality of Dhading District, Nepal, washes at a tap built by Oxfam in her yard.
Community Efforts to Combat Water Scarcity in Somalia
In Somalia, the devastating effects of climate change are forcing families to flee their homes. Anisawalked with her family to Dhudhub Dhiilo, a small settlement in Somaliland, after persistent drought destroyed their crops, dried up water sources, and left their livestock without pasture.
Every two days, Anisa carries 40 liters of water from a nearby reservoir with her seven-month-old child on her back. “It’s hard to carry the water by myself,” she says. Water scarcity has worsened food security, leaving her family with just one meal a day. “I can only provide one meal a day,” she adds, highlighting the unbearable hunger they endure.
Oxfam is on the ground, providing critical humanitarian assistance and building climate resilience. We’ve rehabilitated boreholes and traditional wells, developed new water infrastructure like rooftop harvesting systems and livestock troughs, and improved water distribution systems. Through training programs, we’re empowering pastoral communities and local water committees to manage water resources efficiently and sustainably.
Your Support Can Transform Lives
Oxfam is at the forefront of addressing global water scarcity by integrating climate-smart solutions into our projects. We ensure inclusive decision-making in land use regulations, promote early warning systems, and provide insurance to help households and farmers withstand extreme climate shocks. Our work not only improves access to water but also builds long-term resilience in developing countries. We also advocate for government policies that prioritize water security, subsidize public water provision, and promote sustainable water management. These efforts ensure that water remains affordable for low-income households, services are maintained and expanded, and scarce water resources are allocated fairly.
Join us today. Together we can combat water scarcity, reduce poverty, and create a brighter future for families like Lila’s and Anisa’s.
Contact us
Stay tuned to our email updates, website, and Oxfam's Facebook and Instagram pages for event details. For inquiries, please contact Mr. Sam Tsui at 3120 5129 or email [email protected].
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