Policy Papers

Humanitarian diplomacy is gaining renewed prominence within the European Union (EU) and among its Member States, with new policy initiatives and strategies aimed at strengthening the protection of civilians and promoting compliance with International Humanitarian Law (IHL). However, this momentum risks remaining largely rhetorical unless it is fundamentally reoriented toward tangible protection outcomes, meaningful engagement with conflict-affected communities, and accountability for violations.

Today’s conflicts - characterised by rising geopolitical tensions, weakened multilateralism, and persistent impunity - underscore the urgent need to rethink humanitarian diplomacy. Across contexts such as Sudan, Gaza, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Lebanon, and Ukraine, civilians continue to face grave violations of IHL with limited consequences for perpetrators. This has eroded trust in international tools and mechanisms, while at the EU level it has raised serious questions about the credibility and consistency of its action and that of its Member States. 

This briefing argues that humanitarian diplomacy must be re-imagined as community-driven and justice-oriented. Rather than focusing primarily on access negotiations or diplomatic processes, it should prioritise the rights, safety and dignity of people affected by conflict and guarantee their protection. This requires a shift from top-down, state-centric approaches to models that recognise and empower local actors as central agents of diplomacy. Community leaders, civil society organisations, and local networks already play a critical role in negotiating access, mediating tensions, and protecting civilians - often with greater legitimacy and effectiveness than international actors. 

The report concludes with key recommendations to the EU and EU Member States.

Learn about our lessons and key takeaways from country teams implementing the Global Inequality Influencing (GINI) Program. This report aims to inspire other teams seeking practical, context-sensitive guidance to shape effective, decolonial, and risk-aware approaches to tackling economic inequality.

In Palestine, business is more than trade, it is resilience, dignity, and survival. This newsletter highlights how Oxfam and Palestinian partners are supporting farmers, cooperatives and businesses to protect livelihoods, expand market access, and create inclusive opportunities for women and youth.

The violations and atrocities that underpinned Israel’s genocide in Gaza are again on full display in Lebanon as Israeli forces roll out the same military playbook across the country during the latest escalation.

From mass forced displacement to the targeting of civilians and civilian infrastructure, as well as the redrawing of buffer zones and borders, the impunity that Israel was allowed in Gaza has emboldened it to carry out the same tactics as it attacks Lebanon. Showing that it can do what it wants, wherever it wants, without repercussions as it expands its violations in the region.

In Lebanon, cash-plus approaches have taken multiple forms, including combinations of cash assistance with vocational training, work-based learning, and enterprise support, as well as, in some cases, referrals to complementary services.

Everyone deserves care, safety, and support when they need it most.

This newsletter shares real stories from Gaza and the West Bank about women and young people facing fear, stigma, violence, and hardship and how the MARKAZ project is helping them find support, care, and hope through safe spaces and community services. The project is implemented by Oxfam and partners with support from the Belgian Government through Enabel.

Lebanon faces yet another devastating war, and the country’s already overstretched institutions are struggling to maintain the essential services that millions depend on every day, including water, hygiene and sanitation services. 

This document outlines Oxfam’s policy of program evaluation, which serves as a guiding framework to support strong and innovative evaluation practice across the confederation, in line with our values and principles.

Debt is widely recognized as a double-edged instrument: at the macro level, it can fund growth and essential services, but at the household level, it often represents both survival and constraint.