Oxfam shop stock hits ‘critically low’ levels

OXFAM Ireland has warned that stock in its 49 shops nationwide is at critically low levels, which is affecting its ability to distribute aid.

The charity says the volume of donations to its shops has fallen dramatically in the past couple of years.

Oxfam Ireland says stock levels in its 49 shops are “critically low”. The recession has meant consumers are buying fewer goods, such as new clothes. Instead they are keeping items they would normally donate to charity.

“I don’t think people are less generous but everyone is shell-shocked. People feel they need to hang on to things; they are closing ranks and being really careful,” said Oxfam Ireland district retail manager Sheila Powers.

All charity shops have also suffered a drop in donations in the last couple of years because of bogus doorstep collections, she added.

Head of retail, Trevor Anderson, made a renewed appeal to Irish people to give whatever they could spare.

“The money raised by Oxfam Ireland shops is absolutely vital in allowing Oxfam to continue working to improve the lives of people in developing countries,” he said. “For example, the amount of money raised last year by sales of clothing and books alone in our stores helped to support our entire Livelihoods, HIV and AIDS and Gender Programme work in eastern and southern Africa.”

Meanwhile, the aid agency said the government of Pakistan is about to halt relief operations in areas affected by last year’s devastating floods but according to Oxfam, the crisis could get worse if relief efforts are not stepped up.