Resources

This report was undertaken to help Oxfam gain a better understanding of the policy processes underpinning main livelihoods trends in Red Sea State, Sudan in order to maximise the impact of its relief and development work in the state. The document describes the main geo-political characteristics of Red Sea State and its population and analyses the general policy context in Red Sea State. The report also reviews the role of Oxfam in influencing policy in Red Sea State.

Capacity Building for Empowerment

Empowerment is central to Oxfam’s work with pastoralists. Oxfam and its partners are trying to help pastoralists challenge the obstacles that face them in overcoming poverty. The importance of empowerment approaches to the pastoral programme in Horn/East Africa led the team there to reflect on the effectiveness of their work in this area. Three case studies reviewed programme practice in different countries (Uganda, Somaliland, and Kenya). The conclusions were then debated in a regional workshop (600K pdf file), during which the issue of women’s empowerment relative to men emerged particularly strongly.

This case study (550K pdf file) explores Oxfam’s experience in Kotido district, north-east Uganda, where the programme is working to help pastoralists use Uganda’s decentralised planning and resource allocation system as a vehicle for reducing poverty. Further documents will be published over the coming months.

The State of Pastoralism: Monitoring Poverty Trends in Pastoral Areas of East Africa and the Horn. An Initial Feasibility Survey (PDF 254K)
Source: Oxfam GB, December 2004
Dr Jeremy Swift carried out this study in four countries of the region: Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. The study assesses the feasibility of researching and publishing a periodic ‘status report’ on pastoralism in the Horn and East Africa. The primary aim of the status report would be to inform policy development, resource allocation, and public perceptions of pastoralism. Data should also be researched and presented in such a way as to stimulate debate among pastoralists themselves about poverty. A design workshop in each of the four countries will take place in late March 2005 to take the project further.

Ethiopia: Food Security Situation in the Pastoral Areas of Ethiopia (PDF 218K)
This paper was a contribution towards a workshop on integrated natural resources management and development in drylands, organised in Ethiopia in November 2003 by SC/USA. It highlights eight factors that are making pastoralists in Ethiopia more vulnerable and food insecure, from the expansion of agriculture and wildlife parks to conflict over rangelands.

Kenya: Supporting pastoral associations in Wajir: a manual for development practitioners (PDF 4,109K)
This manual was written to capture the wide body of knowledge and experience of developing pastoral associations which has emerged in Wajir district, north-east Kenya. Pastoral associations are core to the district’s pastoral development strategy. They provide and manage services for their members, and they have a role in managing drought, conflict, and natural resources. The manual gives comprehensive practical guidance on the formation of associations and how to work with them.

Kenya: Pastoralists under Pressure: The Politics of Sedentarisation and Marginalisation in Wajir District, Northeast Kenya (PDF 1,638K)
Pastoralists and development actors in Wajir are concerned that pastoralism is being seriously undermined by the sharp increase in the number of unplanned settlements and water points across the district. This study summarises the findings of two investigations into these issues: one in 1996, and a second in 2002. It shows how the development of settlements and water points is becoming increasingly ‘politicised’, driven in large part by the interaction between clan-based and multi-party electoral politics.

Kenya: Peacebuilding Initiatives in the Arid Districts of Kenya: Lessons and Challenges (PDF 1,153K)
Oxfam has been supporting peacebuilding work in the northern districts of Kenya since the early 1990s, with financial support from DFID. This report summarises the lessons learnt from that experience and highlights issues that policy makers, NGOs, peace actors, and donors need to address in order to build on what has been achieved.

Uganda: Kotido Pastoral Development Programme (PDF 2MB)
This booklet provides an overview of Oxfam GB's programme work with the Karimojong population of north-eastern Uganda. The lack of effective representation of pastoralists’ interests and the lack of responsiveness on the part of governments and others lies at the root of pastoralists’ vulnerability. Their poverty is thus one of voice and capability, and Oxfam tackles this through a
Capacity Building for Empowerment approach.

Uganda: The Karamoja Conflict: Origins, Impact and Solutions (PDF 678K)
This study analyses the nature, causes, and consequences of conflict and insecurity in the Karamoja region of north-east Uganda, and illustrates its impact on people’s lives. It is based on fieldwork carried out in early 2000. It sees the conflict in broad terms as a function of the struggle for secure livelihoods, and explores this at a range of different levels.

Other Oxfam papers

Survival of the fittest: Pastoralism and climate change in East Africa (August 2008)

Delivering the agenda: Addressing chronic under-development in Kenya’s arid land (May 2006)

Integrated planning in support of pastoral livelihoods (PDF 269K) A briefing on Oxfam GB’s Horn and East Africa Improving Pastoral Livelihoods Project

Integrating Drought Cycle Management for Effective Programming: A briefing on Oxfam GB’s Horn and East Africa Drought Cycle Management Learning Project (PDF 339K)

Supporting pastoralists’ voices for better livelihoods: A briefing on Oxfam GB’s Horn and East Africa Regional Pastoral Programme (PDF 421K)

Making Pastoralists Count: A briefing on the Report on the Status of Pastoralism (PDF 256K)

Food security assessments in emergencies – a livelihoods approach (PDF 469K)

Last Chance in Monterrey: Meeting the Challenge of Poverty Reduction
Contains a case study on Wajir.

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