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Markets

Well-functioning markets are a lifeline for people affected by crises. Effective cash and voucher assistance (CVA) uses and supports local markets. Market analysis must therefore be a key part of the response cycle, for cash programming and other forms of humanitarian assistance.

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).

Latest

Standards on Cash and Markets: Time to raise the bar

Blog Post

Humanitarian action is changing fast, and an updated set of shared standards will be crucial in upholding quality among a new generation of responders.  The launch of the new Sphere Handbook on November 6th represents the most comprehensive effort to date review the humanitarian standards, to keep...

20 November 2018

Basic Needs Assessment Guidance and Toolbox Part 1: Background and Concepts

Guidelines and Tools

This document covers humanitarian aid activities implemented with the financial assistance of the European Union. The view expressed herein should not be taken, in any way, to reflect the official opinion of the European Union and the European Commission is not responsible for any use that may be made of...

5 September 2018

Kenya Enhanced Market Analysis

Report

Between May and July 2018, the Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET) carried out an Enhanced Market Analysis (EMA) in Turkana, Marsabit, Isiolo, Baringo, Samburu, and Kitui counties, Kenya. Following the scope of work, the assessment covered five broad themes: (1) households’ access to food...

3 September 2018

New Markets Support Tip Sheet and Webinar

Blog Post

Have you heard about market support programming but don’t quite understand what it is or how to put it into practice? The CALP Network has developed a tip sheet with Catholic Relief Services (CRS) and our Markets Working Group, and will share tips and tricks from the community of practice in a launch...

5 July 2018

Micro-level changes in market recovery and growth: The Ebola CTP experience

Webinar recording

Following our Ebola dissemination event in Dakar, the CALP Network hosted a webinar looking at the micro level effects of cash transfers on local economies during the Ebola crisis. Listen to the recording here.

17 May 2018

Market Information Framework

Guidelines and Tools

The Market Information Framework aims to clearly spell out the most common questions related to humanitarian programming for which market information is needed and to indicate what types of market-related data are needed to answer each of these questions. It explains why various types of market...

May 2018

ERC Learning Event: Scaling up our tools and approaches for multi-purpose cash grants

Blog Post

Watch the videos and read the recommendations from the ERC MPG Consortium event in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

1 May 2018

East and West Haraghe Multi-Sector Cash Based Response Guidance Note

Guidelines and Tools

Multi-sector cash assistance for IDPs in East and West Haraghe zones of Oromia region has been proposed as unrestricted cash transfers to conflict IDP recipients to meet their basic needs with flexibility and choice. Where the use of cash is feasible, unrestricted cash transfers can be implemented in...

May 2018

Multi-Sector Market Assessment Fafan Zone, Ethiopia

Report

This report covers the findings of the Multi-Sector Market Assessment (MSMA) conducted in Fafan Zone, Ethiopia in February and March 2018. The assignment formed part of the ERC-MPG Consortium on Approaches to Transformative Humanitarian Cash Transfer programming and is intended to support joint,...

February 2018

Cash and Markets Working Group Strategic Workshop Report – Libya

Report

On the 6th and 7th of February 2018, a two days meeting opened to the members of the CMWG, Sector Leads, World Bank, UNSMIL, OCHA and Donors was held in Tunis to review the achievements, gaps and challenges of cash programing and articulate the 2018 humanitarian Cash Strategy for Libya. Supported by a...

February 2018

Review of Food for Peace Market-Based Emergency Food Assistance Programs: Jordan/Turkey Case Study Report

Report

Syria regional crisis: The response to the Syria regional crisis exemplifies the challenges and opportunities involved with delivering food assistance in a widespread, largely urban refugee and internally displaced persons (IDP) crisis affecting middle-income countries. This case study focuses on...

January 2018

Taking Market Analysis Beyond Theory: Practices that Facilitate the Use of Market Information in Humanitarian Programming

Guidelines and Tools

Although strong examples of emergency programming that considers and responds to local market dynamics are out there, they are relatively few in number, and there is no consolidated review of these programs to inform good practice. Under the Improving the Uptake of Market Analysis project, a...

2018

Review of Food for Peace Market-Based Emergency Food Assistance Programs: Kenya Case Study Report

Report

Kenya represents a country focused on building resilience through greater partnerships between USAID-Food for Peace (FFP) programs, other USAID-funded programs and local and national government. DESIGN: FFP MBEP in Kenya is a good example of connecting emergency and development programming and of...

January 2018

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...

2018

Review of Food for Peace Market-Based Emergency Food Assistance Programs: Sierra Leone Case Study Report

Report

Sierra Leone represents a remarkable experiment in market-based emergency programming using unconditional cash transfers and some conditional cash transfers Sierra Leone reflects the challenges of providing food assistance in the wake of a major infectious disease epidemic. Food insecurity increased due...

2018

Market-based Food Assistance in Guatemala: A Systematization of Experiences

Guidelines and Tools

In April 2017, at the request of the United States Agency for International Development’s (USAID) Office of Food for Peace (FFP) in Guatemala, Catholic Relief Services (CRS) and Project Concern International (PCI) designed a process to gather and synthesize the experiences of food assistance...

2018