Markets
When designing a humanitarian intervention and deciding whether to use CVA, a market analysis should be part of the overall response analysis. Supporting markets to function well has been shown to lead to faster recovery and increased resilience in disaster affected areas.
Many organizations have invested in the development of tools to support market analysis and are considering market-based programming more holistically. This includes interventions that use the market (such as cash transfers to affected populations), as well as interventions that directly support markets (such as conditional grants to traders to get their market back up and running).
Related initiatives
Featured content
Introduction to Market Analysis
Course
This 30 minute online course provides an introduction to the analysis of markets in emergency contexts, with input from some of the world’s leading thinkers on the topic.
A Practical Guide to Market Analysis in Humanitarian response
Course
A three to four hour online course designed to provide future humanitarian market assessment team members with a solid understanding of theory and steps of market assessments so that they can join assessment teams prepared with a basic understanding of what they will be doing and why.
Market Support Interventions in Humanitarian Contexts – a Tip Sheet
Guidelines and Tools
This tip sheet defines what market support programming in humanitarian contexts is, and what it can look like in practice. It enables humanitarian practitioners to systematically consider market support interventions alongside other programme activities. The scope includes support interventions focusing on supply/availability and on demand/access. The tip sheet is based on secondary data...
Market Based Programming (MBP)
Guidelines and Tools
Market Based Programming (MBP) in Oxfam’s work means we always consider existing markets – through assessments, analysis and programming – across all phases of a response and across all technical sectors. You can also watch the videos below which are available in English, Spanish, Arabic and French.
Thematic lead
Latest
Programme Evolution, Planning and Implementation: Zimbabwe Emergency Cash Transfer (ZECT) Pilot Programme
Case Study
The aim of this document is to draw lessons from the Zimbabwe Emergency Cash Transfer (ZECT) Pilot Programme evolution, planning and implementation. Since this was a pilot programme, documentation of the process of its development was viewed as a crucial programme output. The target audience for this...
The Impact of Cash Transfers on Local Markets: A Case Study of Unstructured Markets in Northern Uganda
Case Study
This report explores the effects of cash transfers on local markets. It tests the hypothesis that ‘cash transfers to poor households lead to integration of markets in remote areas and strengthen existing well-integrated market systems’. To test the hypothesis, a case study was conducted in Northern...
Evaluation of Concern’s Post Election Violence Recovery (PEVR) programme
Case Study
Concern’s Post Election Violence Recovery (PEVR) Programme was a cash transfer programme operating in areas of Kenya (Nairobi, Nyanza, and the Rift Valley) affected particularly badly by the violence that followed the announcement of the national election results in late 2007. Building on several other...
Cash transfers in emergencies: A practical field guide
Guidelines and Tools
A practical and user-friendly field guide for using cash to meet the needs of older people. This guide covers deciding if cash is appropriate, conducting initial assessments and market analysis, identifying beneficiaries and amounts, preparing the community and implementing cash transfers. The purpose of...
Guidelines for cash interventions in Somalia
Guidelines and Tools
These guidelines are intended for all agencies operating in Somalia to represent a common approach to cash transfer programming for food security and livelihood activities in Somalia. The guidelines outline the minimum acceptable standards for cash interventions and provide the justification for...
Understanding and Strengthening Informal Seed Markets
Report
Informal markets receive little attention from governments and researchers, despite their centrality to farmers’ seed security. This paper documents the importance of informal markets for supplying seed and restocking critical plant genetic resources in normal and stress periods. It analyses farmers’...
Real Time Evaluation: Project ADVANCE Niger, Final Report
Report
The 2009 agricultural season in Niger was marked by dramatic crop production deficits. The most recent drought in Niger has led to an escalation in the price of locally-produced staple grains in the region. While demand in local markets remains high, as is normal right before the lean season, many...
WFP Global Workshop on Cash and Vouchers
Report
This document provides a summary and synthesis of key outcomes and emerging priorities. It also provides a summary of the current status of voucher and cash programming in WFP. A discussion of key emerging cross-cutting issues follows. Strategic priorities for WFP voucher and cash programming and policy...
Cash Transfers in Post-conflict Contexts
Report
This ODI project briefing looks at the implementation for the design of cash programmes in post-conflict or fragile states, compared to those of peaceful and stable countries. It highlights examples from Sierra Leone and Nepal drawing lessons from existing programmes, examines the contribution to poverty...
Cash For Work: A Contribution to the International Debate based on Lessons Learnt in Northern Afghanistan
Case Study
The purpose of this study was to document learning from BMZ finance cash for work (CFW) projects implemented by GTZ in Afghanistan as a contribution to international debates about cash transfer approaches. The operations of the GTZ CFW scheme in Northern Afghanistan are financed by the German Federal...
An independent evaluation of Concern Worldwide’s emergency response in North Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo: Responding to displacement with vouchers and fairs
Case Study
In late 2008, escalated fighting among rebels and the Congolese Armed Forces (FARCD) provoked renewed and widespread displacement in North Kivu province, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). In response to the unfolding crisis, Concern Worldwide implemented the project Emergency Assistance to Newly...
Lessons Learned from the Post Election Violence Early Recovery Programme in Kenya 2008-2009
Case Study
The Kenya Post Election Violence (PEV) Early Recovery Programme was an ECHO-supported response by six international NGOs to the ethnic and political violence which severely affected livelihoods in the Rift Valley, Nyanza and Central Provinces after the disputed national elections in late December 2007....
Market Information and Food Insecurity Response Analysis (MIFIRA)
Report
This paper outlines the importance and rationale for agencies to undertake a “response analysis” before choosing an appropriate programme delivery mechanism to a humanitarian situation. The Market Information and Food Insecurity Response Analysis (MIFIRA) framework is introduced. This provides a...
The use of cash and vouchers in humanitarian crises: DG ECHO funding guidelines
Guidelines and Tools
A brief guide to assist programme staff in writing funding proposals for cash-based interventions. A humanitarian guidance note about cash transfer programming is also available.
Niger: Food Security and Safety Nets
Case Study
From the perspective of social protection, this study is designed to synthesize considerable existing analysis, review food and nutrition security policies and programs in Niger, and provide an action plan for strengthening the existing system and developing an effective food security and safety net...
Market Information and Food Insecurity Response Analysis
Report
This paper outlines the importance and rationale for agencies to undertake a “response analysis” before choosing an appropriate programme delivery mechanism to a humanitarian situation. The Market Information and Food Insecurity Response Analysis (MIFIRA) framework is introduced. This provides a...
Can Cash Transfers Promote Food Security in the Context of Volatile Commodity Prices? A Review of Empirical Evidence
Report
This working paper synthesizes the theoretical and empirical literature on the use of cash transfers in response to food crisis situations, with particular attention to their use in situations that are exacerbated by volatile, often inflationary, commodity prices. The paper is designed for policymakers...
Winners and losers among a Refugee Hosting Population: Consumption, economic activities and agglomeration
Report
Every year, thousands of refugees are forced to leave their countries of origin and are hosted by their neighboring countries. However, very few is known about the impact of these refugees on the local economy and its inhabitants. Based on hypothesis formulated during a two-month iterative field...
Cash transfers in emergencies: A synthesis of World Vision’s experience and learning
Report
This HPG study report, commissioned by World Vision, looks at the shifting view towards cash programming by the humanitarian community, and focuses on the specific challenges and needs which World Vision would have to address when considering the use of cash in emergencies. A general background of cash...
Choice, dignity and empowerment? Cash and food transfers in Swaziland: An evaluation of Save the Children’s emergency drought response
Case Study
This evaluation report looks at the Save the Children’s cash transfer project, which was a response to the 2007/8 food crisis in Swaziland, with the aim of not only providing humanitarian assistance but also as a way to break the dependency of rural families on food aid. Selected beneficiaries were...
