As we publish a new research report, Protection and Governance: Linking good practice in protection and governance programmes in the DRC, Annabel Morrissey reflects on what Oxfam has learnt about the cross over between governance and protection and how this learning is being used. hen, for the first time ever in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), people refused to …
Looking back on community based protection in the DRC: Oxfam’s legacy
Five years after Oxfam’s funding and support for community protection work in one part of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) had stopped, we wanted to find out if the work was still having an impact, and if so, how. Helen Lindley-Jones (former Oxfam National Protection Coordinator in the DRC) summarises Oxfam’s learning published in the evaluation report If we …
Have economists got Africa wrong?
Deborah Hardoon, Oxfam’s Deputy Head of Research, kicks off a new series of book reviews for those who want to delve deeper into development and humanitarian issues, beginning with Africa: Why Economists Get It Wrong by Morten Jerven. Book Banter Are you looking for some inspiring reading? Short on time or don’t know where to begin? Oxfam’s researchers review their latest …
Claiming rights for women in Pakistan’s informal economy
Urban growth in Pakistan brings new challenges for women and new gender inequalities. Hadia Majid and Ammar A. Malik identify key factors which could help women workers in the informal economy to advocate for better recognition, greater access to services and a larger share in economic growth. Pakistan is the sixth most populated country in the world and it is …
Podcast: Are cash transfers the answer to humanitarian aid?
[buzzsprout episode=’2559259′ player=’true’] In this podcast we speak with Alex Jacobs, Director of the Cash Learning Partnership (CaLP), on the challenges and opportunities around cash transfers in humanitarian response. Alex answers questions such as: How do they work? What are the benefits? When are they not appropriate to use? And how do NGOs need to adapt?
A letter to Sainsbury’s
This is a joint agency letter sent to Sainsbury’s CEO Mike Coupe following the announcement of the “Fairly Traded” tea pilot and the creation of the new Sainsbury’s Sustainability Standards. Dear Mike, Following the announcement of Sainsbury’s “Fairly Traded” tea pilot and the creation of the new Sainsbury’s Sustainability Standards, we are writing to express a number of serious concerns. Although …
A new model for economic growth and youth inclusion
Investing in the skills of young people, start ups and the sharing economy, could be key to fostering socially inclusive economic growth in Asia, argues urban development consultant Nicholas Taylor. Our cities, their inhabitants, and our planet are in danger from cascading sets of urban woes including unsafe housing, rising waters, increased incidences of natural disasters, temperature extremes, inequitable development, …
New standards for humanitarian programmes and markets
The new Minimum Economic Recovery Standards will support quality market-based programming, and effective working between humanitarian and development practitioners explains Jonathan Parkinson, Oxfam’s Senior WASH Programme Development Adviser. During and after emergencies, both in acute and protracted or reoccurring crises, there is a strong argument for helping affected communities by working with existing market supply chains to provide essential goods …
‘I am human and I have hope’: Working with women in Oxfam’s shops
The Future Skills programme is empowering marginalised women in the UK to grow in confidence and pursue their goals through shop work experience. Nikki van der Gaag recently visited Oxfam’s Manchester Emporium shop and was inspired by the women who are participating in the programme. The Oxfam shop on Oldham Street in Manchester is rightly named the Emporium. Spacious and …