From an letter sent out to the parents of children who were invited to join an Oxfam knitting campaign in 2008:
"Why can’t Oxfam send blankets overseas to where they are
needed?
Sending blankets and clothing overseas is very expensive, and Oxfam has a responsibility to use the money it receives from the general public in the most effective way possible in the fight against poverty. There are many local initiatives in poor countries where women knit or make clothes, and Oxfam tries to support them by buying their products and distributing them through its programmes. This ensures women can learn new skills, earn an income and
support their families, buy crops, send their children to school and to get any healthcare needed"