This article discusses the increasing blurring of lines between humanitarian actors, foreign troops engaged in counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism, and donor states pursuing national security and stabilisation. In several complex emergencies with foreign troops on the ground there has also been a sharp increase in violence against humanitarian workers, in absolute numbers ...» more
Library
This e-library contains more than 4500 external publications on governance, social development, conflict and humanitarian issues. It includes academic and grey literature selected for its basis in good quality research and coverage of a range of perspectives. Policy-oriented summaries of each document are provided, plus links to the full text.
A Child-Sensitive Approach to Social Protection: Serving Practical and Strategic Needs
Social protection is increasingly considered a development success story. At the same time, it still does too little to account for social differentiation and to address vulnerability, as opposed to poverty. Child sensitive social protection (CSSP) has gained considerable momentum, particularly in a developing country context, raising questions about its concept and practical ...» more
Power and Fragility: Governance Programming in Fragile Contexts: A Programme Resource
This guide is based on work by the Institute of Development Studies (IDS). It draws on power and political economy analysis, and other research, undertaken in Rwanda, Myanmar, Yemen and Angola. The guide is written for Oxfam Country Directors and Programme Managers and aims to provide practical support in the design and management of governance programmes. It provides guidance ...» more
Decentralized Service Delivery in Nairobi and Mombasa: Policies, politics and inter-governmental relations
In many African countries, decentralisation has long been viewed as a means for improving local service delivery. Yet, despite various decentralisation initiatives, poor service delivery continues to be problematic in two of Kenya’s largest cities, Nairobi and Mombasa. Despite various governance reforms to enhance Kenya’s decentralisation process, backed up by constitutional ...» more
Dangerous liaisons? A historical review of UNHCR’s engagement with non-state armed actors
The actions of non-state armed actors (NSAAs) have received significant attention in recent years, especially with regard to how their presence in the field impacts humanitarian space. However, NSAAs are not new, nor are they the only parties responsible for violence against humanitarian workers.This report reviews UNHCR’s history of engagement with NSAAs over the past 30 ...» more