Market Systems Development in Fragile and Conflict-Affected Situations

This policy note provides lessons for implementers supporting market systems development (MSD) in fragile and conflict-affected situations, specifically those working at the intersection of humanitarian and development responses to the Covid-19 pandemic. 

In fragile contexts, market interventions can range from actions that deliver immediate relief, to actions that proactively strengthen local market systems and key industries. In addition to asking: “How can we use local markets to deliver humanitarian aid?” we can ask “How are communities using markets to meet their needs, and how can we help markets restore their ability to do that?” This has the potential to bring together humanitarian and MSD approaches, but there are issues to be addressed on both sides. This policy note provides recommendations to both types of implementers for making that shift; while a policy note for donors provides a parallel set of recommendations.

Karri Byrne was commissioned by The DCED Working Group on MSD to produce this policy note for the BEAM Exchange.