ODI live events podcast

What actions do donors need to take in order to eradicate extreme poverty in the next 12 years?

The panel discusses the trends, drivers and causes of migration and displacement from Darfur as well as the conditions and experience of Darfuris in Europe.

To mark World Humanitarian Day on 19 August, ODI convenes an expert panel to discuss breaking the silence and promoting action on mental health affecting aid workers and volunteers.

Humanitarian aid workers are routinely exposed to traumatic events linked to the cause of mental health issues including depression, burnout and anxiety. But increasingly, work stress including extremely heavy workloads, long hours and limited time for self-care are being highlighted as major causes. Among volunteers, mental health issues can be even higher (Dineson, 2018). Often from affected communities, volunteers experience the same loss and grief as those they are working to support but without the same training, support or structure as professional workers.

At the global level, there is now increasing recognition of the importance of ensuring the well-being and safety of humanitarian workers and volunteers. However, too often the appropriate support and care systems are not in place, especially for national or local staff. A recent study found that only 20% of aid workers surveyed felt adequate psychosocial support was being offered (Dunkley, 2018). The prevailing culture of silence, feelings of guilt and perceived stigma around mental health, leads many to continue working without seeking treatment. To reduce stress, burnout and to promote the well-being of workers and volunteers, simple and cost-effective initiatives can be put in place before, during and after deployment.

What are the opportunities and challenges to providing mental health and psychosocial support in emergencies? This event launches the latest Humanitarian Exchange magazine.

Taliban governance is more coherent than ever before for the tens of millions of Afghans living under its rule. Their control and influence over finance, education, health, justice, taxation and everyday life extends far beyond areas the Taliban is said to control or contest. The provision of public goods, together with systemised violence and coercion, garner a combination of support, complicity and fear.

The scale and extent of Taliban governance is a reality with which few in the international community are willing to engage. This has enabled the Taliban to set the rules and parameters of negotiation.

To better support Afghans living under Taliban control, the question for the international community must shift from whether to engage to how. Drawing from ODI’s new research, based on first-hand interviews with over 160 Taliban fighters, officials and civilians, this expert panel discusses:

- What is the current reality for Afghan’s living under Taliban rule?

- How are Afghan civilians and aid workers navigating these complex realities?

- What lessons can be drawn from past negotiations with the Taliban to inform and shape the international community’s future engagement?

This event brings together researchers and officials to discuss how development agencies should be governed and structured.

This event explores why disaster risk reduction policy, programming and financing have yet to be sufficiently applied to conflict-affected and fragile contexts.

This event discusses the extent to which external financial support to fragile states is working, and reasons why it isn't.

United Nations Development Programme Administrator, Achim Steiner joined ODI in conversation on UN reform, sustaining peace and how to deliver more effective and integrated support to realise the 2030 Agenda.

Panellists discuss the challenges and opportunities for humanitarian agencies in better engaging with affected communities in armed conflicts and violence.