Policy Papers

The EU must urgently re-think its collective treatment of people arriving at Europe’s borders and ensure that every human being, no matter their status, enjoys the basic respect of their rights and fundamental dignity. 

Extractive industries present potentially large opportunities for developing countries. Oxfam has produced a detailed study of the political economy of decision making, with research conducted in Peru, Ghana, Senegal and Tanzania.

About 60 million people across the world face worsening hunger and poverty due to droughts and crop failures that have been exacerbated by the El Niño weather system in 2015/6. This short report gives a voice to some of the people that Oxfam is working with in Ethiopia, Malawi, Zimbabwe, El Salvador and Papua New Guinea.

Women’s economic empowerment has the potential to transform many women’s lives for the better and support economic growth. However, the rise of extreme economic inequality is a serious blow to the fight against gender inequality and a threat to women’s rights.

Oxfam is calling on the World Bank Group to put safeguards in place to ensure that its clients can prove they are paying their fair share of tax.

In an open letter, a large coalition of civil society organizations and trade unions, including Oxfam, is asking European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker for a more ambitious proposal on tax transparency.

This paper presents a set of recommendations to increase the effectiveness of global governance forums by incorporating the experience, views and expertise of civil society.

Oxfam is calling for the states attending the Geneva conference to collectively commit to offer a safe haven through resettlement or other forms of humanitarian admission to at least 10 percent of the refugee population – the equivalent of 481,220 people – by the end of 2016.

This briefing shares the experiences of some of the 250 people interviewed by Oxfam in Yemen in February 2016 and shows how a year of intense conflict has created one of the world’s biggest humanitarian emergencies and risks pushing millions into famine.

20 organisations working with refugees and migrants in Europe have called on EU leaders to the humanitarian crisis at Europe's borders.

March 2016 marks five years of conflict in Syria. This paper examines what the UN Security Council demands happen in Syria; the situation since March 2015 and significant actions by the Permanent Members of the UNSC.

This report provides examples of good practice to increase gender equality in the cocoa sector in West Africa, and shows where there is potential to make even greater change.

Selective border closures and quota for people on the move greatly increase human suffering and clearly infringe international and European law that protect the right to seek asylum, a coalition of 26 NGOs criticise in a joint statement.

This report launches a Global Call to Action on Indigenous and Community Land Rights, backed by more than 300 organizations all over the world. It is a manifesto of solidarity with the ongoing struggles of indigenous peoples and local communities seeking to secure their land rights once and for all.

Ethiopia is facing a massive drought and food insecurity crisis. The impact of failed rains and droughts have been worsened by the 2015 El Niño. Urgent humanitarian action and long-term investment is needed so that communities can become more resilient and reduce their vulnerability to weather events in the future.

The Asia Resilience Strategy for 2015–2020 provides a broad framework on inclusive humanitarian and development trajectories focused on the poorest of the poor in the areas of: 1) smallholder agriculture; 2) water; 3) urban resilience; and 4) natural resource management.

The number of people in need as a result of the conflict in Syria continues to rise. Oxfam is calling for rich states to commit to fully funding this year’s Syria crisis response appeal and to resettle 10 percent of all registered Syrian refugees by the end of 2016.

Tens of millions of people receive vital humanitarian aid every year, but millions more suffer without adequate help and protection. This paper looks at how we can improve the humanitarian system and calls for a shift of power and resources from international actors to local actors. 

Letter outlining Oxfam's position and demands regarding corporate tax avoidance and an external strategy of the EU on tax good governance.