Oxfam: Ocean's 13 stars donate $750,000 to Darfur

Oxfam Ireland Press Release
08 June 2007

As Ocean's 13 opens in Irish cinemas, Not On Our Watch, an initiative that raises awareness and funds for the humanitarian crisis in Darfur and beyond, is pleased to announce a $750,000 (€563,000/£376,000) grant to Oxfam America toward their life-saving humanitarian efforts in Darfur.

Among those on the board for Not On Our Watch are George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Don Cheadle, and Ocean's 13 producer Jerry Weintraub. This timely gift provides support to Oxfam's existing work in Darfur as well as to new programs that will help make local people and communities stronger and more prepared to respond to long term challenges.

George Clooney, Not On Our Watch co-founder, said: "The people of Darfur urgently need the help of organizations like Oxfam."

Penny Lawrence, Oxfam's International Director, said: "This is a fantastic donation from the Ocean's 13 stars. It will make a massive difference to some of the most vulnerable people in the world. We can all do something to help people in Darfur, and even a small donation can go a long way. For example, a donation of £80 could feed a family of five for three months."

The grant aids Oxfam's ability to serve over 500,000 displaced people in Darfur and neighboring Chad. In addition to supporting the provision of urgently needed clean water, safe sanitation, and other public health work, the donation will fund longer-term needs:

• Safety for Women: Women often face attack when they leave the safety of camps to gather firewood for cooking. Fuel-efficient stoves save lives by requiring fewer trips outside the camps. These stoves are better for the environment, as they require less wood to cook meals. With this additional support, Oxfam will expand distribution to 20,000 people.
• Training: Continued training for local residents in community leadership, environmentally sustainable livelihood skills, and public health issues. Oxfam is helping build the next generation of community leaders who are needed more than ever as the conflict drags on.
• Expansion of water and public health delivery: Establishing water points by means of trucking in water and drilling for available water; building latrines to keep people safe when living in dense camp conditions; hygiene promotion to prevent outbreaks of disease and to serve as an education point for knowledge that people can bring back to their homes when the conditions are secure enough for their return.

Notes to Editors

Donate to Oxfam Ireland's Darfur Emergency appeal

About Not On Our Watch

Not On Our Watch was founded by George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Don Cheadle and Jerry Weintraub to focus global attention and resources to stop and prevent mass atrocities. Drawing on the powerful voice of citizen artists, activists, and cultural leaders, their mission is to generate lifesaving humanitarian assistance and protection for the vulnerable, marginalized, and displaced. www.notonourwatchproject.org

Oxfam America and Oxfam Ireland are members of Oxfam International, a confederation of 13 Oxfam's worldwide.

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