People power prevails in the Philippines

by Shally Vitan, Advocacy Coordinator, Oxfam GB Philippines Office

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16 May 2008

Some of the issues Oxfam works on aren’t that simple. But as things go, access to cheap medicines is a fairly simple one – no one should have to make a choice between putting food on the table and getting treatment from illness.

Unfortunately, in the poorest countries, vital drugs are often priced out of reach – effectively making clinics and hospitals useless, as people can’t afford to pay for medicines.

But people are fighting back, and winning.

You might remember that last year, Swiss pharmaceutical giant Novartis launched a legal battle to challenge India’s right to produce cheap, generic versions of medicines – which millions of poor people worldwide depend on.

Half a million people – including 80,000 Oxfam supporters – voiced their opposition. And it worked – India won the legal battle, stood firm, and put patients before profits.

And it’s happened again in the Philippines.

Last week a new law was passed which will allow 26 million people – 30% of the population – to access affordable medicines.

The law was passed because hundreds of those most affected by the high price of medicines – people like Lola Eufemia and Lolo Jose, in the video below – stood up and spoke out.

For over two years they defied their age, the elements, and sometimes even hunger to stage numerous demonstrations and monitored the bill as it passed through the Filipino Congress.

Their efforts, supported by Oxfam and other local partners, captured the public imagination and galvanised public support.

The tide is turning, but there is still much more to do – 2 billion people still go without access to medicines – but the victory in the Philippines and in India sends an important message that developing countries can and will fight for their right to protect public health, and win.

And, it is yet another example that campaigning works and that when we speak out, change happens. Add your voice by signing the ‘6 million more’ pledge and join a growing global movement demanding health and education for all.

Photo: Last week campaigners in the Philippines successfully won their battle for affordable medicines (Credit: Gerry Carreon)

Getting the voices of those impacted by climate change heard in Bali.

Sahba Chauhan has been busy for the past two weeks liaising with partner organizations in developing countries that Oxfam works with. I caught up with Sahba, at the conference on its second last day, to find out more about what she and our partners have been doing here in Bali.

Karina – Why is it important to have organisations from Least Developed and Developing countries here at this conference?

Sahba – Climate Change is a real issue in the lives and livelihoods of people struggling to fight poverty. For them, climate negotiations are not just front-page news, they are the decisions that will decide if they win or lose the fight against poverty. Therefore, it is important to have them here as an integral part of the process. Their experience and thoughts need to be heard loud and clear!

What activities where our partners involved at the Conference?

Our partners came here from China, India, Philippines, Vietnam and East Timor. While they were here, some worked with their country delegations to highlight the concerns of their communities who they work with back home. All of them were involved in various campaign activity and forums with other organisations from the across the world to ensure the conference heard directly form people already having to deal with the impacts of climate change.

In particular our partners represented and participated in global discussions on adaptation financing and used the opportunity to learn a lot about international negotiations on climate change, and how they can work with other of organisations across the world to find solutions to climate change.

What was the main message that stood out for you and our partners during the week?

I think the world has got a clear message over the past two weeks and that is – we live in a hugely unequal world! Over the past two weeks while most countries stood united to make serious commitments to fight climate change, a handful of rich countries, responsible for this problem in the first place, blocked the negotiation process in every way they could. In an equal world, majority wins. Today the majority is saying – fight climate change now!

How does being at a conference like this, help our partner organizations when they go back to their home countries?

I see it the other way round. The conference and post conference work (which is huge!) will benefit a lot with from the input and engagement of organisations that are at the front line of dealing with climate change. Their involvement at this conference will help represent many concerns about climate change impacts and the adaptation needs from their countries onto a global platform.

Once back home, they will inform local communities about the conference and continue to work with their governments on climate change.
The conference was important not only in our partners being able to share information from their countries but it provide vital learn from other organisations and countries that are experience similar problems such as techniques, research and understanding on key political processes.

Oxfam has collected video testimonies from people who are living with the impact of climate change from around the world, and has been showing them all this week at the conference. You can see a highlights from the messages on our YouTube profile

It’s up to U Now – message to delegates Climate Change Conference

With just three days left to the conference closes, Oxfam blitzed delegates at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Bali, with a special photographic exhibition and calendar called “It’s up to UNow”.

The photos, are messages from people in developing countries, who are already having to adapt and live with the impacts of climate change, as well as people from rich countries, who are taking personal action to reduce their contribution to climate change. Take a look at all of the photo messages on our Flickr profile.

Today, they are coming together to send a clear message to delegates at this conference, to do all they can to ensure that the interests of people living in poverty are put at the heart of any decisions and outcomes from Bali.

Quite simply, they are telling delegates “It’s up to UNow”.

We have given delegates a chance to show their support to Fight Climate Poverty, by having their photo taken, so it can be added to the exhibition. More updates on who took the challenge later.

Shahanara, from Bangladesh (pictured above) stood in flood water near the camp she has been staying at for five months since her house was destroyed in the floods in the village of Puteakhal. She said “I have raised my home and my husband is trying to work in the market. What else can we do. We have no option now”. Read more from Shahanara, and other stories and messages on our flickr pages.