Behind the official statistics, farmers, manufacturing workers, migrant workers, waste-pickers, and women working unpaid in the home all over the world are asking the same question: ‘What hit us in 2009?’. Oxfam’s research on the global economic crisis in 12 countries, involving some 2,500 individuals, is combined in this report with the findings of studies by universities, think tanks, and international organizations. Oxfam’s report reveals the depth and complexity of the impacts of the global economic crisis, and the vulnerabilities and resilience of poor people and countries worldwide. The crisis has highlighted social protection as a development issue, and the importance of managing risk and volatility at all levels. This crisis will not be the last, but if one of its lessons is that reducing vulnerability and building resilience are the central tasks of development, then future crises may bring less suffering in their wake.
News & Media
Ethiopia: Rain does not come on time anymore
Small scale farmers and pastoralists in Ethiopia are set to be the most negatively impacted by climate change, facing increased poverty, water scarcity, and food insecurity. The news does not bode well for a country where eighty-five percent of the population depends on agriculture for their livelihood. The rain fed agricultural sector is particularly vulnerable to the growing inconsistencies in weather and when there is a lack of pasture or water, pastoralists face an enormous loss of livestock.
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Tackling Poverty Through Trade: How New Zealanders buying Fairtrade benefits producers in developing
While the market for Fairtrade in New Zealand is still relatively small it has experienced very healthy and sustained growth since its beginnings in 2004. Initially nine companies were involved in selling Fairtrade coffee and tea. Retail sales reached NZ$261,050 in 2004 and in 2008 the New Zealand Fairtrade market growth in was 69 per cent. By 2009, the number of New Zealand companies licensed to sell Fairtrade products increased to 51 and their combined retail sales topped NZ$17.5 million. This growth in Fairtrade retail sales is great news for small-scale farmers and workers in developing countries. Increased Fairtrade sales means that more trade is taking place under Fairtrade conditions and that more farmers and workers are receiving the economic, social and environmental benefits of Fairtrade. This report has been produced by Fairtrade Labelling Australia & New Zealand (FLANZ) and Oxfam New Zealand. Analysis has covered the period of New Zealand Fairtrade purchases and sales from 1 January 2004 to 31 December 2009.
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West Africa food crisis 2010
In 2010 poor harvests and water shortages threatened the lives of over 10 million people across West Africa. Oxfam launched an emergency programme to provide support to 400,000 people in Niger, 100,000 people in Mali and 100,000 people in Chad.
Reaching Tipping Point? Climate Change and Poverty in Tajikistan
The people of Tajikistan, a small, mountainous country in Central Asia, are experiencing the impacts of climate change. More frequent droughts and heightened extreme weather conditions are hitting poor communities, eroding their resilience.
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The impact of the Global Economic Crisis on the Pacific region
At a macroeconomic level, the Global Economic Crisis has had less impact on many Pacific countries than on most other developing countries across the world. However, this does not imply that Pacific country economies are performing well. Economic growth rates for most countries in the Pacific region are expected to be low for 2009 and 2010 and the majority of economies are likely to contract on a per capita basis in these years. Policymakers should look at how the traditional economy and support systems in Pacifi c countries could be supported and strengthened to ensure they continue to provide resilience in times of crisis. At the same time, other forms of social support should be considered to work alongside these traditional systems in cases where they are not meeting current needs, particularly the needs of women and young people.
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