LEARNING: Partnerships in development communities require different approaches and practices depending on the relationship between organisations. Oxfam Australia’s former South Africa Country Director introduces a discussion paper which reflects on a trip where he met with 40 different partner organisations. Partnership is an important idea for the development community. Uncomfortable with the very obvious power differentials that are inherent …
A letter from Yemen
ON THE GROUND REFLECTION: Mark Goldring, Oxfam GB’s Chief Executive, recently visited Yemen where chronic poverty is being aggravated by war. Ten million people have insufficient food and two million have been forced to flee their homes. In this post, originally a letter to Oxfam staff, Mark reflects on the suffering he witnessed and Oxfam’s humanitarian response. Many things surprised me …
Everyday tech heroes: the search begins
NEWS: Over the past year Oxfam GB’s use of technology in programmes has increased by over 60%, with our staff and partners even more keen to hear about the latest developments in tech for good. That’s why Oxfam is partnering yet again with the UK’s leading social tech funder, the Nominet Trust, on a quest to find the 100 most …
Business must show more commitment and collaboration on climate change
OPINION: At the Paris climate summit there were promising signs from the private sector about taking action on climate change, but the path to a low carbon future is still far from clear. Lucia Lopez Pineda urges businesses to step up their game in collaboration with civil society and the development sector. This week the Business and Climate Summit 2016 …
Will business continue to feed climate change?
OPINION: As business representatives gather for a climate summit in London Irit Tamir explains why the food and beverage sector should play a prominent role in reducing global emissions. The Paris Agreement marked a major breakthrough in support for climate action from the business community, and later this week business leaders will gather in London for the Business and Climate …
What next for the pastoralists in Ethiopia’s drought?
ON THE GROUND REFLECTION: Pastoral nomads in Ethiopia have been heavily affected by a record-breaking drought. They have lost their flocks and their way of life and make up the majority of the 800,000 people classified as internally displaced (IDPs). What will they do next and how do we best support men, women, boys and girls in this disaster? Eliza …
Getting technical in East Africa
LEARNING: How can Oxfam, and the development sector in East Africa, make best use of ICTs? Here Francesca Reinhardt, reflects on an event which brought together Oxfam staff from seven different countries, with international NGOs, local civil society groups, technology providers, donors and others to discuss the future of ICTs in the region. Recently, colleagues from the aid and development …
Using micro-hydro power for irrigation and energy in Nepal
LEARNING: Could micro-hydro power bring sustainable energy to remote villages around the world? Public Health Engineer Anjil Adhikari explains how Oxfam has been involved in bringing electricity to a village in Nepal through a micro-hydro project. Until two months ago Jayathala village in Darchula District Nepal had no electricity. At night they burned Jharro (resin soaked pine wood) for light, …
Webinar – on the cusp: proposals to advance the cash reform
NEWS: Background While cash has benefited from an unprecedented attention from high level policy-makers in the build-up to the World Humanitarian Summit (WHS), the Summit itself did not fully deliver on its promises. The call from the UN Secretary-General for cash-based assistance to become the default method of support for people in emergencies wherever possible was diluted into promises for …
Three reasons national organisations are vital to humanitarian response in South Sudan
OPINION: National and local actors have a critical role in responding to the humanitarian emergency in South Sudan. When international aid organisations work in partnership with local groups, their joint efforts are more effective and tailored to the people they are trying to help explains Stella Madete, Oxfam South Sudan Information and Communications Lead. National organisations are part of the …