The Faces of Those Hit First and Worst

The people that are most affected by climate change are the world's poorest people living on less than $2 a day. Changes in weather have already caused an increase in hunger, water shortages, and disease. If climate change continues at the current rate, millions of people may be displaced. Because of the lack of resources, reports suggest that there will be an increase in international conflicts. Here are the true stories of those hit first and worst, and how Oxfam America is helping them adapt to the changes.

In the Chimbu Province of Papua New Guinea Highlands, the village leader James Gigami reports that villagers are experiencing unpredictable weather, which is impacting their crop yields.

Thandi, who lives in the small village of Hluhluwe in South Africa, is among millions being affected by climate change. "The ground used to be soft and easy to dig by hand; water was freely available just under the surface and food was plentiful; there was a lake nearby that provided fish for us to eat. But now the land is dry and hard and there is no water under the surface; even the lake has dried up." Having less water means that it is more difficult for villagers to grow nutritious crops for people living with HIV/AID.


In Bangladesh, Rahim lost his home to Cyclone Sidr. In the image, Rahim and his family rebuild his home. "Father can't go to sea now, because the boat he works in is lost and the nets are on top of the tree, tangled and torn," says Rahim.