ODI is Britain's leading independent think tank on international development and humanitarian issues.
UNAMID Peacekeeper on Duty in West Darfur (Source: United Nations Photo, Flickr - http://www.flickr.com/photos/un_photo/4587018425/)

The Humanitarian’s Dilemma: collective action or inaction in international relief?

The humanitarian sector has recently come under scrutiny, with criticism of its supposed lack of self examination. An ODI Background Note points out that many of the critiques aimed at the sector were first identified by the sector itself more than a decade ago. It asks why, therefore, such critiques continue to have traction, ten years later.

Climate change adaptation using disaster risk reduction, social protection and livelihoods approaches

 

Commercialised microfinance: a Wall Street-style calamity for the poor?

Floods engulf village, Africa (Source: Peter Casier, Flickr - http://www.flickr.com/photos/theroadtothehorizon/414816179/)How can aspects of disaster risk reduction, social protection and livelihoods approaches contribute to developing adaptive capacity in the context of climate change? An ODI Working Paper investigates.

 

Microfinance Loan Disbursment in Sri Lanka- December 2006 (Source: Savijana, Flickr - http://www.flickr.com/photos/savijana/3018445188/)The commercialisation of microfinance is a growing phenomenon. But what are the actual results for the poor? Milford Bateman examines the issue in an ODI blog post.

The benefits of competition for the poorest countries in the world

 

Trust and value through long-term market relationships: better than a short-term focus on price

Preparing a market stall - Abidjan, Ivory Coast  (Source: babasteve, Flickr - http://www.flickr.com/photos/babasteve/2177419735/)

An ODI study examines policy, competition and market performance, finding which factors tend to deliver better market outcomes for poor people.
  Wal-mart supermarket aisle (Source: ratterell, Flickr - http://www.flickr.com/photos/ratterrell/4481631/)Long-term relationships in supply chains can generate significant gains for business, development and the environment, argues Christopher Coles in an ODI Opinion.

World Humanitarian Day 2010

 

Returning to first principles – why give aid to some countries and not to others?

[Namibia] Helicopter rescues people from flood hit areas.	IRIN	© IRIN19 August was the second World Humanitarian Day. A blog by Sarah Bailey highlights the resilience of the humanitarian sector and its capacity for innovation and change.

  Street children in Mumbai gather around cars for begging	Flickr	focus2capture http://www.flickr.com/photos/focus2capture/671664724/The debate over UK development assistance to India highlights the challenges of ensuring equitable aid allocations. A blog by ODI Director, Alison Evans, investigates.

Using communications for policy influence

 

Food aid and food assistance in emergency and transitional contexts

Man reads detail of budget in newspaper, India (Source: prakhar, Flickr - http://www.flickr.com/photos/prakhar/408940921/)An ODI workshop from 1 to 3 September will introduce principles and tools to communicate research to inform pro-poor policy. Space is limited, so book now.

 

Queue of people waiting to receive food and water aid in Myanmar, following Cyclone Nargis (Source: TZA, Flickr - http://flickr.com/photos/tza/)

A HPG Policy Brief and Report on food aid and assistance policies examine issues around definitions, the future of the Food Aid Convention and a new food security architecture.

The new UN gender equality architecture: from a 'shack' to a new-age building?

 

Aligning aid information with recipient country budgets

Woman fishing in Binga, Zimbabwe (Source: Alan Nicol, ODI)Nicola Jones welcomes the long-awaited UN Entity for Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment -- UN Women -- on the ODI blog.

 

Numbers on a cash register (Source: Thomas Hawk, Flickr - http://www.flickr.com/photos/51035555243@N01/72778694)What are the links between donor aid and recipient budgets, and what role does aid transparency play in improving decisions and accountability? An ODI Working Paper investigates.