Scarlett Johansson Calls on You to Join Her, Oxfam in Aiding Survivors in the Philippines

BOSTON, Nov. 15, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Oxfam America has released a new public service announcement featuring Scarlett Johansson speaking about Oxfam's work in the Philippines delivering emergency aid to the survivors of Typhoon Haiyan and calling on viewers to help by donating at www.oxfamamerica.org/haiyan.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20080221/DC14723LOGO )

Oxfam, an international humanitarian relief and development organization, is setting up programs that aim to reach 500,000 people affected by the crisis. Our teams are already on the ground, determining the needs and beginning distribution of critical aid.  Oxfam's goal in the first phase of the emergency is to ensure that 20,000 families – about 100,000 people – have access to food, safe water, sanitation facilities, and hygiene materials. As the people of the Philippines recover from Typhoon Haiyan, Oxfam will also help them rebuild their farming and fishing livelihoods as well as get markets up and running so that food is available in local shops.

An internationally celebrated artist and Oxfam America Global Ambassador since 2005, Johansson has visited India, Sri Lanka, and Kenya helping to raise the voices of those affected by disasters, poverty and injustice.

"The coming days and weeks are critical. Hundreds of thousands of people are without food, water, and shelter," said Michael Delaney, director of humanitarian response for Oxfam America. "Families are drinking contaminated water from wells. The threat of disease and malnutrition is high. The need for life-saving emergency aid is immense." 

Learn more about Oxfam's relief work in the Philippines at www.oxfamamerica.org. Tweet @oxfamamerica using hashtag #Haiyan.

Notes:

View Oxfam America's PSA featuring Scarlett Johansson here.

We have high-resolution videos (:15 and :30 second) available for download and distribution.  Please contact Helen DaSilva for download information. 

About Oxfam America:
Oxfam America is a global organization working to right the wrongs of poverty, hunger, and injustice. As one of 17 members of the international Oxfam confederation, we work with people in more than 90 countries to create lasting solutions. For more information on Oxfam's response in the Philippines, or to donate, please visit: www.oxfamamerica.org.

Related Link:
www.oxfamamerica.org/haiyan 

Video with caption: "Typhoon Haiyan was the strongest storm in the world this year and quite possibly the most powerful to ever hit land. Thousands are feared dead, and local emergency food stocks are dwindling. Help Oxfam America deliver water and sanitation materials to the region: http://www.oxfamamerica.org/haiyan." Video available at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPv4tqMOGXk

SOURCE Oxfam America