Does channelling aid into private sector partnerships always lead to the best development outcomes?
Aid donors increasingly assume that private sector partnerships are crucial for global development. Marc Cohen, Senior Researcher at Oxfam America, outlines why we need to proceed with caution. Back in 2014, the UN estimated that achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) will require an additional $2.5 trillion per year over planned investments between 2015 and 2030. Just to get a sense of what a trillion dollars looks like, it …
Debt: a noose around Somalia’s future
Full debt cancellation is the only way forward for Somalia, write Dustin Barter, Oxfam’s Senior Campaigns and Policy Manager in Somalia, and Mohamed A. Ahmed, Independent Debt Specialist. As the African Union Summit kicks off in Addis Adaba this week, Somalia remains swamped in debt, struggling to kick-start a more positive trajectory. Debt relief, a once hot topic (thanks Bono!), …
A model for philanthropy in uncertain times?
Meditor Trust recently stepped up to underwrite Oxfam’s life-saving humanitarian work at a time of financial difficulty. Bridie Layden reflects on the benefits of this type of philanthropy and what Oxfam has learnt from the experience. In February 2018, following criticism of how Oxfam handled past safeguarding cases including sexual misconduct by former staff in Haiti, some institutional donors suspended …
How loans from philanthropists to NGOs could work
[buzzsprout episode=’2559208′ player=’true’] This podcast focuses on the role of philanthropy in development, and shares the learning from a recent loan agreement made to Oxfam, which is considered ground-breaking for the sector. We speak to Talal Shakerchi, the head of Meditor Trust who gave the loan, and Bridie Layden from Oxfam GB’s Philanthropy & Partnerships team, who coordinated the process. …
Can Commonwealth countries agree on climate change, refugees and inequality?
In the run up to the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting Claire Spoors dares to hope that common ground can be found on the issues that matter for people living in poverty. The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) takes place next week in London and Windsor, bringing together the leaders of the Commonwealth member states, a seemingly disparate group …
Follow the money: calculating net aid flows
What percentage of aid reaches the intended recipient country? Our methodology tool can be used to calculate this, but more aid data transparency is needed. Aid data transparency just got a major boost from the UK Department for International Development (DFID). Its new policy document, ‘Open aid, open societies: A vision for a transparent world’ reaffirms the agency’s requirement that …
To use or not to use biometrics? Help us answer the question
Biometric technologies such as iris scanning, fingerprint or facial recognition, have opened up exciting new possibilities for humanitarian aid delivery, but the potential risks are high. That’s why Oxfam is looking for a consultant to conduct research into the safe use of biometrics in humanitarian response: is this an area you are working in? Imagine if you had lost everything …
A twin mandate for DFID – what does this mean?
Oxfam’s policy team present their vision for the UK’s aid programme to tackle both poverty and inequality. The Shadow Secretary of State for International Development used her first major speech to announce that any future Labour government would instate a dual poverty/inequality mandate for the Department for International Development (DFID). Oxfam has long warned of the risks of growing extreme …