Overseas Development Institute - Humanitarian Policy Group

Publications - HPG Working Paper - Losing ground: Protection and livelihoods in the Occupied Palestinian Territory

Sun, 05 Jul 2009 17:00:00 -0700

The occupation of Palestine and the conflict and violence that have attended it has had devastating implications for protection and livelihoods in the West Bank and Gaza. A series of measures have combined to create ‘a crisis of human dignity where the entire population is denied basic rights’. This Working Paper analyses the relationship between protection and livelihoods in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. It explores how threats to people’s protection are linked to their livelihoods, the impact of these threats on particular groups in the West Bank and Gaza and the strategies they employ in response. The study analyses the efforts of humanitarian organisations to link protection and livelihoods in their work, with recommendations on how this work could be expanded in the occupied Palestinian territory and elsewhere.

Journals - Disasters - Disasters

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 17:00:00 -0700

Articles in the latest issue consider communication and civil-military cooperation in Afghanistan, the reconstruction of communities in post-tsunami Sri Lanka, and substance use and functional impairment among adolescents following the 2001 World Trade Centre attacks. Visit Wiley-Blackwell's site for the full table of contents, information about subscribing or to submit an article.

Online - Blog post - Hidden lives: refugees in the cities

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 17:00:00 -0700

On the eve of World Refugee Day 2009, this blog explores the plight of refugees who flee to the world's growing cities. Like the rest of the urban poor, they face the challenges of overcrowding, insecurity and lack of basic services. However, they face additonal problems as 'outsiders' that make them more vulnerable than their counterparts living in camps or the other urban poor. The blog argues that The Humanitarian Policy Group at ODI will be working on the issue of urban refugees over the next two years.

ODI in the media - Citation inFinancial Times : "Ghana’s environment refugees"

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 17:00:00 -0700

ODI in the media - Comment/Quote inReuters AlertNet : "World Vision scandal puts spotlight on efforts to stamp out aid corruption " ( Sarah Bailey )

Tue, 09 Jun 2009 17:00:00 -0700

ODI in the media - Citation inReuters Alertnet : "Nargis remittances - disaster aid with a difference "

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 17:00:00 -0700

Publications - HPG Working Paper - The role of the affected state in humanitarian action: A case study on India

Tue, 21 Apr 2009 17:00:00 -0700

This case study is part of the ODI HPG research programme on the role of the affected state in humanitarian action. It aims to describe the essential elements of India’s approach to disaster management as seen in its response to the 2001 Gujarat earthquake and the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. The study also analyses policy trends in India’s disaster response, focussing on the 2005 Disaster Management Act.

Publications - ODI Opinion - The global financial crisis: risks for fragile states in Africa

Tue, 21 Apr 2009 17:00:00 -0700

This Opinion argues that the impact of the global financial crisis in fragile states has serious implications for peace and security. With economic and social stability going hand in hand, recession could result in increased unrest and violence in countries that are already under pressure as a result of poverty and the effects of high food and fuel prices. The G-20 Summit in London in April 2009 earmarked $50 billion for developing countries. At the same time, there are worrying signs of backtracking on aid commitments as some donor governments prioritise their domestic economies. The Opinion urges donor countries to maintain, if not step up aid commitments to African states, to counter the impact of a crisis that could exacerbate state fragility in Africa.

ODI in the media - Interview inAl Jazeera English Inside Story: "Inside Story - Abyei's uncertain future (part two)" ( Sara Pantuliano )

Sun, 19 Apr 2009 17:00:00 -0700

ODI in the media - Interview inAl Jazeera English Inside Story: "Inside Story - Abyei's uncertain future (part one)" ( Sara Pantuliano )

Sun, 19 Apr 2009 17:00:00 -0700

ODI in the media - Citation inSSRC Blog : "Capacity restored, memory deleted"

Sun, 19 Apr 2009 17:00:00 -0700

ODI in the media - Citation inSudan Tribune : "Darfur kidnappers say aid workers to die if France does not meet demands"

Sun, 12 Apr 2009 17:00:00 -0700

ODI in the media - Interview inABC : "Aid work more dangerous than peacekeeping" (Adele Harmer)

Wed, 08 Apr 2009 17:00:00 -0700

Project outputs - Report - Global Financial Crisis Preliminary Synthesis of Ten Draft Country Reports

Mon, 06 Apr 2009 17:00:00 -0700

The UK Department for International Development and the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs supported a team of 8 ODI researchers and 30 research collaborators in ten countries (in Asia: Indonesia, Cambodia and Bangladesh; in South America: Bolivia; and in Africa: Benin, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Uganda and Zambia) to examine the effects of the global financial crisis. We are all grateful for the support received.

The research involved a workshop in London, consultations in each country, and synthesis reviews. It aims to inform key policy processes and international discussions on the actual effects of and appropriate policy responses to the global financial crisis.

This paper is an initial draft synthesis of the 10 country case studies based on the draft papers. It will be followed by more in depth syntheses and final reports to be released in April/May 2009. ODI work on the global financial crisis is highlighted at http://www.odi.org.uk/odi-on/financial-crisis/default.asp

Country case study contributors:

Luis Carlo Jemio and Osvaldo Nina, Grupo Integral S.R.L, INESAD, Bolivia
Olu Ajakaiye, African Economic Research Consortium
Oluwatayo Oni Fakiyesi, University of Lagos, Nigeria
Hossein Jalilian, Chan Sophal, Glenda Reyes, Saing Chan Hang, Phann Dalis and Pon Dorina, Cambodian Development Policy Research Institute, Cambodia
Mustafizur Rahman, Debapriya Bhattacharya, Md. Ashiq Iqbal, Towfiqul Islam Khan, Tapas Kumar Paul, Centre for Policy Dialogue, Bangladesh
Sarah Ssewanyana, Lawrence Bategeka, Evarist Twimukye, Winnie Nabiddo Economic Policy Research Centre, Uganda
Amoussouga Gero Fulbert, Professor, Université d'Abomey-Calavi, Benin
Manenga Ndulo, Dale Mudenda, Lutangu Ingombe, and Lillian Muchimba, Department of Economics, University of Zambia
Francis Mwega, Department of Economics, University of Nairobi
Ira Setiati Titiheruw, Hadi Soesastro and Raymond Atje, Centre for Strategic and International Studies, Indonesia
Charles Ackah, Ernest Aryeetey, Ellen B-D. Aryeetey, Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER), University of Ghana

Publications - HPG Policy Brief - Providing Aid in Insecure Environments: Trends in violence against aid workers and the operational response (2009 Update)

Mon, 06 Apr 2009 17:00:00 -0700

In 2008, 260 humanitarian aid workers were killed, kidnapped or seriously injured in violent attacks – the highest yearly toll on record. The majority of these attacks took place in just countries: Sudan, Afghanistan and Somalia. Kidnappings in particular have increased since 2006, increasing 350% compared since 2006. The fatality rate of aid workers from malicious acts alone surpassed that of United Nations peacekeeping soldiers in 2008. In the most violent contexts for aid workers, politically motivated attacks have risen relative to common crime and banditry, as international aid organisations are perceived as part of Western geopolitical interests.

This HPG Policy Brief analyses 12 years worth of data on attacks on aid workers. The figures are examined by location, tactics, and the types of organisation and staff affected. The sharpest increases in attack rates have been suffered by international (expatriate) staff of non-governmental organisations (NGOs). UN aid agencies have seen attack rates rise mainly for their national staff members and local contractors, particularly truck drivers. Despite the recent upswing in international staff attacks, the long-term trend suggests the casualty rate of national staff is rising faster than international staff. The International Committee of the Red Cross is the only humanitarian organisation examined to have a decrease in attacks against the organisation in the past few years, although it has by no means been immune.

The report concludes that despite improved and professionalised security management, humanitarian organisations are unable to secure their personnel in a small number of the most dangerous operational settings, particularly Afghanistan and Somalia, where they have been identified as legitimate targets by armed groups pursuing broad political aims. The report cites field-level analysis from aid agencies in Afghanistan attesting to the rapidly deteriorating security environment for aid workers and their increasing difficulty in negotiating access to populations in need. The report recognises the trend of aid organisations attempting to disassociate themselves from political actors and reinforce the principles of humanitarian independence and neutrality, but at the same time warns that in these most highly contested political/military environments this approach will not necessarily achieve security for aid workers on the front lines.

Publications - HPG Commissioned Report - Pastoralism, policies and practice in the Horn and East Africa: A review of current trends

Tue, 31 Mar 2009 17:00:00 -0700

Pastoral communities in the drylands of Eastern Africa are increasingly vulnerable to food and livelihood crises. Many reasons have been cited for this, including climate change and increased climatic shocks such as droughts and floods, man-made forces such as the ban on meat exports to the Gulf region and rapid population expansion overtaxing a finite natural resource base. However, no other reason is more central to the problem than the persistent cycle of inappropriate policy and practice in the region. Policies that are neither consistent with needs nor responsive to the uniqueness of the pastoral system are primarily to blame for pastoral vulnerability.

The study on which this Synthesis Paper is based reviews current policies and practice towards pastoralism of governments, development agents and pastoral communities in the Horn and East Africa. It also analyses the impact of current policies and practice on pastoralism and pastoral livelihood vulnerability, and how policies influence investment in and the development of pastoral areas. The study also presents the considerable economic contribution of traditional pastoralism, as well as recommendations on how to secure a vibrant pastoral economy through positive policy approaches which would open up opportunities for diversification and alternative livelihoods.

Publications - HPG Commissioned Report - Demographic trends, settlement patterns and service provision in pastoralism: Transformation and opportunity

Tue, 31 Mar 2009 17:00:00 -0700

The study on which this Synthesis Paper is based analyses and highlights demographic trends, settlement patterns and service provision in pastoralist areas in the Horn and East Africa. It presents patterns and trends that describe the transition process that pastoralism is going through, and explores factors influencing it. It also draws on experience, evidence and lessons from
the Horn and East Africa, to tackle some of the most salient issues concerning pastoral livelihoods, emphasising the need for a better understanding of the pastoralist system in order to promote the resilience of these livelihoods and inform policies and interventions in the ASALs. Throughout the paper, the complexity of the issues is recognised; the study does not aim to provide answers, but rather to highlight issues and pose questions that policy-makers, politicians and other key stakeholders need to address.

Publications - HPG Commissioned Report - Getting it right: Understanding livelihoods to reduce the vulnerability of pastoral communities

Tue, 31 Mar 2009 17:00:00 -0700

The study on which this Synthesis Paper is based argues that the increasing vulnerability to food insecurity that pastoralists face stems from the failure to put the protection of pastoral livelihoods at the centre of emergency preparedness, planning and response mechanisms. Emergency responses are failing on three counts. They fail to prevent the recurrence of crisis. They fail to support the capacity of the pastoral community to withstand the effects of shocks. And they fail to adapt to the changing nature of shocks. There is an urgent need to develop responses that address the underlying causes of the increasing vulnerability facing
agro-based livelihoods (livestock and farming). Equally important are developmental responses to enable poor households to pursue productive economic alternatives.

The study also argues that, in order to be effective, emergency preparedness and planning must continue to improve both the timeliness and appropriateness of interventions, through the effective use of early warning systems and contingency planning. These should not be seen as emergency instruments, but rather as a means of managing predictable risks in pastoral areas and ensuring the protection of livelihoods – a long-term investment for a public good. In addition, a livelihoods approach must be the critical base for designing an integrated approach that addresses vulnerability, as it improves the sensitivity of monitoring systems to hunger and impoverishment.

Journals - Disasters - Disasters, vol. 33, no. 2

Tue, 31 Mar 2009 17:00:00 -0700

Articles in the latest issue examine regeneration projects as a tool for post-disaster recovery planning, information flow and collaboration patterns in disaster management, and ethnicity, politics and inequality in relation to post-tsunami humanitarian aid delivery. Visit Wiley-Blackwell's site to view the full table of contents, submit an article or to subscribe.

Conference - Global consultation - Bridging the Gaps: Risk reduction, relief and recovery

Mon, 30 Mar 2009 17:00:00 -0700

31 - 02 April 2009
Istanbul, Turkey

The third of its kind, this dynamic and forward-looking forum will be our largest gathering yet, bringing together more than 250 practitioners, researchers and policymakers from national and international NGOs, UN agencies, multilateral institutions, government agencies, Ministries of Education, teachers unions, academic institutions and youth groups to explore emerging developments in the field of education in emergencies, chronic crises and early recovery.

Reuters AlertNet blog - Beyond Darfur: agency expulsion raises concerns for neglected regions

Thu, 26 Mar 2009 17:00:00 -0700

The expulsion of 12 foreign aid agencies and one private development firm and the suspension of three national NGOs by the Sudanese government following the issuing of an international arrest warrant for President Bashir has generated widespread concerns about the potential impact of an interruption of aid on civilians at risk.

These concerns have, though, been largely limited to Darfur. Worryingly, very little attention has been focused on the repercussions these expulsions could have on the Three Areas (Abyei, Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile) and the eastern region which have only recently emerged from conflict and remain highly volatile.

ALNAP Lessons Paper - Where to now? Agency expulsions in Sudan: consequences and next steps

Wed, 25 Mar 2009 17:00:00 -0700

On 4 March, the government of Sudan expelled 13 international NGOs and revoked the licences of three national NGOs. In all, 7,610 aid workers have been directly affected in Northern Sudan (including Darfur), where these agencies accounted for 40% of aid workers, delivering more than half the total amount of aid. NGO services – access to water, health and medical services, food rations – have been jeopardised. Assistance to Darfur 's 2.7 million-plus displaced people has been severely compromised, and a number of health-related crisis are already emerging. In the Three Areas, the repercussions of these expulsions could undermine the gains made in realising the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA). In Eastern Sudan , the expulsion of these agencies has deprived the region of critical food, livelihoods and medical assistance.

This joint ALNAP-HPG paper focuses on the recent expulsion of NGOs from Sudan. It offers a snapshot of what expelled aid agencies were doing, where they were based and the type of assistance they were providing at the time of their departure. It looks at the challenges these agencies had to tackle, how their programmes evolved, the extent to which these agencies had developed contingency plans and the challenges involved in scaling up operations to make up for the shortfall in services. The paper also discusses the immediate implications and suggests ways forward for international NGOs, the UN system and donors.

Seminar - G-20 Investment in Children

Fri, 20 Mar 2009 04:15:00 -0700

20 March 2009 11:15-13:00
UNICEF House

This seminar addressed the impact of the financial crisis on children and the need to invest in protective measures for children during economic crises.

Speakers:

Caroline Harper - Programme Leader and Research Fellow, Overseas Development Institute

David Bull - Executive Director, UNICEF UK

Chair:

Ellen Wratten, DFID

Online - Blog post - Children in times of economic crisis: lessons from the past and policies for the future

Thu, 19 Mar 2009 17:00:00 -0700

Given that a major share of the cost of the financial and economic crisis will be borne by hundreds of millions of people who have not shared in the benefits of recent growth (like poor women, children and young people) , focussing on these vulnerable groups is vital, particularly as evidence from past crises shows us that children are severely affected by economic shocks.

This blog highlights how the current economic downturn affects the wellbeing of children and investigates policy responses to minimise harm to vulnerable groups such as poor women, children and young people.

Journals - Disasters - Disasters, Theme Issue: Indian Ocean tsunami

Tue, 17 Mar 2009 17:00:00 -0700

Since the devastating Indian Ocean tsunami in December 2004, the Disasters Journal has published a series of articles on the impact of the disaster, preparedness for it and the efforts of the affected people, civil society, governments and international agencies to provide immediate relief and gradually rebuild. These are brought together in this virtual issue which is available free online.

These articles present the findings of a large joint evaluation of the tsunami response, examine mortality and displacement in Aceh, local NGO responses in India and the impact on fisheries and tourism in Sri Lanka. Other articles examine the role of mangrove forests, issues of ethnicity, politics and inequality in relation to aid delivery in Sri Lanka, questions of vulnerability, adaptive capacity, satellite mapping of damage and support through cash for work. Two articles from 1978 and 1983 examine tsunamis in the Philippines and the Japan Sea which provide interesting points of comparison.

Together these articles represent a rich body of learning in relation to issues of disaster preparedness, mitigation and response covering the full risk management cycle.