Oxfam International,one of the world's leading aid agencies,is to severely curtail its work because of the financial strain caused by the coronavirus pandemic,including the closure of operations in 18 countries at the potential cost of more than 2000 jobs.
The organisation,which currently operates in 66 countries and whose global work is coordinated via 20 affiliate offices around the world,said in a statement late Wednesday that it has had to accelerate changes as a result of the pandemic.
Countries it will be exiting include Afghanistan,Egypt,Rwanda,Sudan and Tanzania. It said the changes will affect around 1450 out of nearly 5000 program staff and 700 out of nearly 1900 partner organisations.
Following the changes,it will retain a physical presence in 48 countries,six of which it will explore as new independent affiliate members,including Indonesia and Kenya.
AP