OXFAM

abbreviation of Oxford Committee For Famine Relief, privately funded, British-based agency that provides relief and development aid to impoverished or disaster-stricken communities worldwide. The original OXFAM was founded at Oxford, Eng., in 1942 to raise funds for the feeding of hungry children in war-torn Greece. The organization grew as it provided aid to refugees in the years following World War II. Its aid emphasis shifted in the 1960s to helping improve agriculture and food production in the more impoverished countries of the world. OXFAM developed an overseas network of field directors to administer its aid projects, but its goal was to provide manpower and training funds so that indigenous peoples could learn to help themselves. A large network of British volunteers helped in raising local funds for such projects. During the 1970s associate OXFAM organizations were formed in the United States, Canada, Belgium, and Australia. OXFAM organizations also continued to provide emergency aid for areas stricken by droughts, floods, earthquakes, and other natural catastrophes.