A Brief Reflection on Oxfam America in East AsiaJuly 2016

As Oxfam America assumes a new role as a member of the Oxfam Confederation in Asia, I put together this brief reflection on Oxfam America in South East Asia when it operated as the East Asia Regional Office.

1. 20 years ago the new OA presence in SEA moved from Manila to Phnom Penh as a base from which to support development agendas and civil society actions in the region. Since that time OA has grown in regard ultimately the office becoming an invited advisor on Human Rights to the USA Embassy in Cambodia.

2. In the course of this time OA established one of the most enduring of catchment management initiatives that extended the 4,350 km through all 6 countries from the top of the Mekong in remote south western China to the delta in Vietnam working with communities and authorities throughout. Of itself, this work led to one of Oxfam’s longest standing affiliate partnerships to this day so that OAU now leads behalf of us all.

3. In the Extractives sector EARO has long been a key partner in OA’s Global engagement, in countries like Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam, broaching government, community and company negotiations where others would not, leading to some of the most enduring civil society voices in the region. Over time the program helped build an entirely new level of public participation in Cambodia’s Extractive Sector and provided constructive input into Cambodian and Vietnamese policy developments.

4. In agriculture the office has been able to support development of some of the most significant innovations seen in the region. Foremost amongst them has been the System of Rice Intensification (SRI). With strategic investment we have seen this innovation grow and grow in reach so that it is now anticipated that in the coming season over 2 million smallholder farmers and their families will be advantaged. (See Annex)

5. In microfinance OA has led Saving for Change in the region, not only has the program reached over 150,000 of Cambodia’s poor (mostly women), it has now begun reaching out to new and challenged countries like Laos, Timor Leste’ and even Myanmar. At the same time over 50 other organizations have taken up the charge with OA including USAID which today is the biggest investor.

6. Meanwhile the Office worked with partners and governments to take on policy agendas concerning, regional trade, pharmaceuticals, International Climate Funding, the role of the INGO in the development context and many more.

7. Throughout this time the region like much of the developing world has very much felt the impact of humanitarian disasters with perhaps the Asian Tsunami killing 300,000 people the day after Christmas 2004 being the most infamous moment. In all this time OA has been able to consistently respond to these tragedies alongside the rest of the Confederation. But

it has to be said, this has only been possible given the equally consistent and resolute contribution of our supporters back in the USA.

8. In all of this work, arguably one of the most enduring contributions that OA has made has been in helping Civil Society gain in stature. It is only when the people themselves have voice that development can truly advance. To this end, EARO has served as both a nurturer and a champion. As a nurturer, helping in the establishment of civil society organizations with the endeavor to address national and global concerns and as a champion standing alongside them. Perhaps the penultimate example being the recent push to protect civil society space from the introduction of restrictive laws in Cambodia. From the outset OA was seen as a leader amongst the INGOs in this collaboration especially as we rallied hitherto unseen support from Washington DC. Notably, the US State Department later remarking that this was, “perhaps the largest CS action in Cambodia’s modern history”.

9. OUS Grants in EARO from 1996 - 2016 OUS Presence in the last 20 Years means a lot to East Asia Region

Country # of Partners # of Grants ValueCambodia 86 282 $11,484,232Regional Grants (included 68 113 $4,634,290Vietnam 45 106 $4,367,464China 6 26 $1,734,734Laos PDR 12 24 $702,479Philippines 13 23 $606,196Myanmar 6 12 $529,801Indonesia 5 9 $229,715Thailand 8 9 $86,389Total 249 604 $24,375,301

Of course this reflection only just touches on the breadth and depth of work and representation that Oxfam America took on in East Asia but it is an acknowledgement of the staff, partner, supporters, communities and leaders that took the organization down this path.

It was my privilege to be part of this journeyBrian LundRegional DirectorEast Asia Regional OfficeOxfam America 2006 -2016