All Publications

Public Health at Risk

jabdulla — 2013-03-04T17:06:10Z

During the first week of March 2013, trade negotiators from the US will continue a decade-long effort to promote stricter levels of intellectual property (IP) protection in developing countries. These efforts ignore US commitments under original World Trade Organization (WTO) rules and subsequently in 2001 under the Doha Declaration on TRIPS and Public Health and, if successful, would undermine global access to affordable medicines.

Crisis in Darfur

estevens — 2013-03-01T16:05:02Z

In Darfur, Sudan, few of those who were uprooted by conflict a decade ago feel safe to return to their villages, and violence is still driving people from their homes.

Women and the big business of chocolate

akramer — 2013-03-01T14:08:16Z

To help, you don’t need to stop buying your favorite candy. Instead, get the facts about cocoa and the companies behind the brands. Then take action and let them know exactly what needs to change.

Behind the Brands

bgrossmancohen — 2013-02-26T17:38:37Z

In this report, Oxfam assesses the social and environmental policies of the world’s ten largest food and beverage companies and calls on them to take the critical next steps to create a just food system.

Effective Foreign Aid at Work: Majeda Begum Shiru

JLentfer — 2013-03-01T19:27:18Z

US foreign aid works best as a tool in the hands of the right local leaders—those trying to solve their own problems in their own nations and neighborhoods. Majeda Begum Shiru is one of them.

Local Institutions, External Interventions, and Adaptations to Climate Variability

jedwards — 2013-02-25T18:47:38Z

This research examines the role of local institutions in mediating the adaptive practices developed by individuals and collectives in the cotton-growing region of Mali. In this area, the main climate risk is erratic and inadequate rainfall, compounded by difficulties related to guaranteeing a sufficient income from cotton and cereal farming from increasingly infertile soils. The following key questions guided the fieldwork: 1) What role do local social institutions have in long-term adaptation to environmental change?, 2) How have extra-local actors interacted with local social institutions in development and adaptation efforts?, and 3) How is the production and use of weather and climate information organized?

Local Institutions, External Interventions, and Adaptations to Climate Variability

jedwards — 2013-02-20T20:20:10Z

The purpose of this study is to understand the role of local institutions in assisting the Borana pastoralists of southern Ethiopia in dealing with droughts. Because of social and economic marginalization, as well as sheer geography, Borana pastoralists are very vulnerable to the effects of climate variability. The study places these local practices in micro- and macroinstitutional frameworks, to explore how different interventions have enhanced or inhibited coping and adaptations; how local institutions interacted with external structures; and whether new institutions are emerging to foster adaptive capacity.

US Investment in Large-scale Land Acquisitions

jedwards — 2013-02-19T18:46:19Z

In the past decade, investment in land used for agriculture and forestry in low- and middle-income countries has grown dramatically. This study provides an analysis of the extent of US investors’ and investment fund managers’ involvement in this phenomenon over the past 10 years. With this research, Oxfam America hopes to begin exploring the business models behind these investments and the potential food security implications in low- and middle- income countries where large-scale land acquisitions are occurring.

The role of local institutions in adaptive processes to climate variability

akramer — 2013-02-13T17:43:56Z

Farmers and herders in arid regions of Africa face serious challenges in adapting to climate change and variability. They are highly exposed to climate stresses, especially drought, but adaptation to climate change is far from being a clear-cut biophysical or technical problem: it is also a social challenge. Although communities in semi-arid zones have organized their cultures and livelihoods around uncertainty and the risk of drought, climate predictions indicate that new extremes will be a real challenge to their capacity to adapt. This report looks at local social institutions in Ethiopia and Mali and their role in adaptation.

The truth about the Arms Trade Treaty

cmccabe — 2013-02-15T17:08:15Z

The National Rifle Association and its allies have mounted a campaign of lies and deliberate distortions to build American opposition to an international Arms Trade Treaty that will keep weapons out of the hands of human rights abusers around the globe. Here are the facts that set the record straight.

OXFAMCloseup, Winter 2013

jabdulla — 2013-01-31T21:04:52Z

With this issue, we have given our magazine a new name: Closeup. It reflects our intention to help readers gain a deeper understanding of the people with whom we work and of the enterprise, drive, and dignity that defines their lives—even as many face terrible hardship. But hardship is only part of the story. Coupled with it—almost always—is a determination that can carry a region far.

In the pages ahead, you’ll read about civil society groups in Ghana that are working to ensure that the natural wealth of their country—its oil and gold—benefits its poorest citizens. You’ll also read about farmers in Haiti’s lush Artibonite valley where they have struggled to keep producing rice in the face of a flood of cheaper imports, mainly from the United States. Learn about the significant progress they are making, with Oxfam’s help, to revitalize their rice industry. As one farmer said, “We were hungry, but that is getting better all the time.”

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Mali's Conflict Refugees

mhart — 2013-01-22T14:47:38Z

Nearly 375,000 Malians fled the conflict in the north of their country in 2012. Over 145,000, the majority of them women and children, sought refuge in poor areas of neighboring Burkina Faso, Mauritania and Niger. More are already following since the escalation in fighting in January 2013. Those neighboring governments and humanitarian organizations have provided life-saving aid to refugees in difficult circumstances, but they are struggling to meet all the refugees’ basic needs. In Niger’s camps, up to 21 percent of children are malnourished. Governments and aid organizations must urgently step up preparations to respond to rising needs in refugeehosting countries, while all military forces and armed groups active in Mali must take all possible steps to avoid harm to an already distressed civilian population. Many of the refugees have repeatedly fled Mali over the last 20 years, and may well not return until the deep-seated social, political and economic drivers of the country's conflict are resolved.

Summary: Mali's Conflict Refugees

mhart — 2013-01-22T14:47:58Z

Clean hands, clean water, and better health

akramer — 2013-01-17T22:23:21Z

A low-tech plastic container cuts waterborne disease for families struggling to eat in Senegal.

Emiliana Aligaesha, Venture Capitalist

JLentfer — 2013-04-02T18:24:17Z

US foreign aid works best as a tool in the hands of the right local leaders—those trying to solve their own problems in their own nations and neighborhoods.

Emiliana Aligaesha is one of them.