In recent years, international humanitarian agencies have been adapting theirresponses to emergencies. Many have begun using cash-based initiatives, alongsideor in place of conventional relief distributions of food and non-food items. Localprocurement is also being encouraged, and opportunities for other innovativeresponses explored (Harvey 2005, 2007). These changes in practice draw attention to the need for better analysis ofmarkets. There is a growing realization that the best opportunities for assistingwomen and men may be missed unless emergency responses are designed witha good understanding of critical market systems. Moreover, lack of this marketanalysis in humanitarian programmes may be damaging the livelihoods, jobs, andbusinesses upon which people's long-term security depends.
In recent years, international humanitarian agencies have been adapting theirresponses to emergencies. Many have begun using cash-based initiatives, alongsideor in place of conventional relief distributions of food and non-food items. Localprocurement is also being encouraged, and opportunities for other innovativeresponses explored (Harvey 2005, 2007). These changes in practice draw attention to the need for better analysis ofmarkets. There is a growing realization that the best opportunities for assistingwomen and men may be missed unless emergency responses are designed witha good understanding of critical market systems. Moreover, lack of this marketanalysis in humanitarian programmes may be damaging the livelihoods, jobs, andbusinesses upon which people's long-term security depends.
In recent years, international humanitarian agencies have been adapting theirresponses to emergencies. Many have begun using cash-based initiatives, alongsideor in place of conventional relief distributions of food and non-food items. Localprocurement is also being encouraged, and opportunities for other innovativeresponses explored (Harvey 2005, 2007). These changes in practice draw attention to the need for better analysis ofmarkets. There is a growing realization that the best opportunities for assistingwomen and men may be missed unless emergency responses are designed witha good understanding of critical market systems. Moreover, lack of this marketanalysis in humanitarian programmes may be damaging the livelihoods, jobs, andbusinesses upon which people's long-term security depends.