History

Shobha Devi,a member of village Self Help Group (SHG)cleans rice with two of her children Mannu (left) and Sandhya. Intervention by Oxfam partner, Grameen Development Services led to the establishing of a local SHG in Kharihaniya of Marajganj district, UP

Oxfam is marking its 61st year in India this year. In 1951, Oxfam GB came to India during the Bihar famine to launch its first full scale humanitarian response in a developing country. Over the past 61 years, Oxfam has supported the growth of many civil society organisations across the length and breadth of the country. In 2008, all Oxfams came together to form Oxfam India. Oxfam India, a fully independent Indian organization (with Indian staff and an Indian Board), is a member of a global confederation of 17 Oxfams.

61 years of Oxfam in India - A Chronology

• 1951 Oxfam Great Britain starts operations in India with Bihar famine relief work

• 1957 Oxfam Australia starts operations in India with the Food for Peace campaign

• 1964 Oxfam Novib starts operations in India with support to civil society organizations

• 1993 Oxfam Hong Kong starts operations in India and Banglades

• 1997 Oxfam Intermon starts operations in India

• 2002 Registration of Oxfam Trust

• 2008 Merger of all the Oxfam affiliates to create Oxfam India

• 2011 Oxfam India becomes a full fledged affiliate of Oxfam International