Our history

New in Sweden, not in the world

Even though Oxfam has not been here in Sweden for very long, we have a long history and lots of experience behind us. The first Oxfam office was founded in Oxford in 1942 by a group of academics and activists. The organisation was then called the Oxford Committee for Famine Relief, which was later shortened to Oxfam. The group campaigned for food to be sent to starving women and children in occupied Greece during the Second World War.

After the war, Oxfam continued to send emergency aid to communities across Europe, and as the situation in the region improved, the focus shifted to the Global South. Today, we are an international confederation working with local partners to tackle poverty and injustice in 77 countries.

There are 21 independent member organisations in the Confederation. They are based in Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Denmark, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, India, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Quebec, South Africa, Spain, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United States. In addition, there are three advocacy and fundraising offices in South Korea, Sweden and Argentina.

The International Secretariat is based in Nairobi, Kenya, but has offices in Addis Ababa, Oxford, Brussels, Geneva, New York, Moscow and Washington.

The Swedish office opened in March 2014, and in Sweden we work on issues related to economic inequality, climate equality and corporate responsibility for human rights. We also raise funds that go directly to the Confederation's disaster relief work. The Swedish head office is located in Stockholm, but we also have offices in Gothenburg, Malmö and Linköping.

Read more about Oxfam's history on the Oxfam International website.