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Aid effectiveness

Water and sanitation projects are now making it easier for people in developing countries to have access to clean, safe water – improving the health and livelihoods of some of the world’s poorest people. Photo: PNG: Jerry Galea/Oxfam

For all developing countries, the amount of aid they receive and how it is spent is a critical part of their efforts to reduce poverty.

Because aid really works.

Millions more children around the world are now going to school - developing the skills needed to make a decent living and increasing their chances of breaking free from poverty.

And water and sanitation projects are now making it easier for people in developing countries to have access to clean, safe water – improving the health and livelihoods of some of the world’s poorest people.

But there is still more to be done.

Oxfam is working hard, encouraging governments such as our own New Zealand Government, and international organisations like the UN to meet their promises on aid, and to spend it more effectively - by targeting people who most need help.

• Read Oxfam's government briefing document

Latest news on aid

Keeping politics out of aid

During the review of aid policy in early 2009, Oxfam called for assurance that the mandate for aid would remain focused on poverty reduction, and NZAID would retain operating autonomy.

• Find out more about Oxfam’s stance on this issue

Government briefing document

Thinking bigger than our backyard

Thanks to all of you who took time in 2008 to write to our new government asking that they take positive action on climate change, international aid and trade. More than 250 people wrote letters – a significant voice that won’t go unnoticed!

We have produced a Briefing Document on New Zealand’s role in a global world. It has been written to inform the work of all Members of Parliament. Oxfam believes the incoming government has an opportunity to play a distinctive role in tackling international poverty, injustice, conflict and climate change.

Our country has a proud international record in support of people who are suffering. The peace-building process in Bougainville showed that we are at our best when government policies are consistent, well-targeted, and supported by close relationships with civil society. As a country, we can make a difference, especially when we are able to work together as government and NGOs.

Oxfam calls on the government to make New Zealanders proud of their role as global citizens. Our contribution will never be as large as others but it can serve as an example of how a small country can make a huge difference. Achieving this requires a number of policy changes on issues such as trade, human security and climate change, and the development of a coherent programme of action. This means looking beyond our self-interest, and supporting our neighbours in building a fairer, safer and more sustainable Pacific region.

• Read the government briefing report

The big issues our government must address

International aid

• Commit to a timetable for achieving New Zealand’s commitment to 0.7 percent of gross national income (GNI) spent on aid by 2015
• Retain autonomy for New Zealand’s International Aid and Development Agency
• Focus New Zealand aid on the poorest and most vulnerable areas of the Pacific, Timor Leste and Papua

Trade

• New Zealand should not pressure Pacific countries to liberalise their economies
• Remove the barriers that currently inhibit Pacific imports to New Zealand
• In all trade negotiations New Zealand should support the flexibility that developing countries need to enable them to develop their own economies.

Climate change

Oxfam is calling on New Zealand together with other developed countries to:

• Reduce emissions to at least 40% below 1990 levels by 2020.
• Work within the United Nations to ensure that the needs of the world’s poorest people are at the heart of a new global climate change deal.
• Cut our emissions first, fastest and furthest so that global emissions peak by 2015 and fall at least 80% below 1990 levels by 2050.
• Provide the money and technology needed, independent of existing aid commitments, to help vulnerable people in poor countries adapt to changing climates.

Arms & Human Rights

• Support the development of an international arms trade treaty
• Develop an integrated government strategy for using a human security approach to support vulnerable and fragile states

Oxfam is not affiliated to any political party, and we are committed to working with all political parties to promote the achievement of our mission of poverty reduction and international justice.

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