Briefs

  1. Briefing paper

    Adaptation 101

    How climate change hurts poor communities—and how we can help

    adaptation-101-cover
  2. Briefing paper

    In Her Own Words

    Iraqi women talk about their greatest concerns and challenges.

    briefing-paper-thumb
  3. Briefing paper

    Smart Development

    Oxfam's briefing paper on making aid work.

    smart-development-cover
  4. Briefing paper

    Afghanistan: Development and Humanitarian Priorities

    This paper outlines urgent action necessary to address immediate challenges in Afghanistan and to avert humanitarian disaster. It does not seek to address all issues of concern but focuses on essential policy change in development and humanitarian spheres.

    While aid has contributed to progress in Afghanistan, especially in social and economic infrastructure—and while more aid is needed—the development process has to date been too centralized, top-heavy and insufficient. It is has been prescriptive and supply-driven, rather than indigenous and responding to Afghan needs. As a result millions of Afghans, particularly in rural areas, still face severe hardship comparable with sub-Saharan Africa. Conditions of persistent poverty have been a significant factor in the spread of insecurity.

    Donors must improve the impact, efficiency, relevance and sustainability of aid. There needs to be stronger coordination and more even distribution of aid, greater alignment with national and local priorities and increased use of Afghan resources. Indicators of aid effectiveness should be established, and a commission to monitor donor performance. Despite progress in some ministries, government capacity is weak and corruption is widespread, which is hindering service delivery and undermining public confidence in state-building as a whole. Further major reforms are required in public administration, anti-corruption and the rule of law.

    Urgent action is required to promote comprehensive rural development, where progress has been slow, through building local government to deliver essential services, reforming subnational governance, and channeling more resources directly to communities.

    briefing-paper-thumb
  5. Briefing paper

    Financing Adaptation

    Why the UN's Bali Climate Conference must mandate the search for new funds

    briefing-note-thumb
  6. Briefing paper

    Investing for Life

    Meeting poor people's needs for access to medicines through responsible business practices

    briefing-paper-thumb
  7. Load more
Oxfam.org Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube Google+