Economic development interventions in humanitarian settings: a promising approach but more evidence is needed

CEDIL Evidence Brief 9

Suchi Kapoor Malhotra, Marcella Vigneri, Nina Dela Cruz, Liangying Hou, Howard White

Humanitarian crises caused by political events and environmental catastrophes forcibly displaced 82.4 million people around the world at the end of 2020.

Many conflicts continue for several years, reconstruction can take a long time, and people may anyway be unwilling to return to hazardous environments. Displaced people may remain in their new locations for months or even years, not days or weeks. In response, economic development interventions for displaced populations have become more popular. This includes interventions that invest in the economic development of the host community, and so provide opportunities for those living in nearby camps.

Economic development interventions provide a livelihood for displaced people and so reduce reliance on their external support, build or utilise their skills, and so reduce the chances of a culture of dependency and preserve the dignity of the displaced population. Investments in the host population can provide economic opportunities for displaced people and reduce the resentment which may arise if local people see substantial relief aid going into the camp and they get nothing. 

This brief summarises findings from a systematic review of economic development interventions in humanitarian settings.

Suggested citation:

Kapoor Malhotra, S., Vigneri, M., Dela Cruz, N., Hou, L., White, H. (2023). Economic development interventions in humanitarian settings: a promising approach but more evidence is needed, CEDIL Evidence Brief 9. London and Oxford: Centre of Excellence for Development Impact and Learning. https://doi.org/10.51744/CEB9

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