The MERS offer tools for humanitarian agencies, inter-governmental organizations, local populations and government departments to enhance the effectiveness and quality of the economic assistance offered, and thus make a significant difference in the lives of the people affected by disasters.

The MERS provide guidance on what good programming looks like and what to consider when you are planning your activities. You can read each section separately or in sequence. Each section has cross-references to other chapters or sections that may also be relevant, because many of the Standards or actions are linked. This book will be most useful to field practitioners and humanitarians implementing programs immediately after a crisis. Donors, governments, private-sector actors, proposal writers, and operational staff may also find it a helpful reference point when designing or reviewing project activities. There will always be a tension between universal standards and the ability to apply them in the moment. Each context is different, and local conditions may make it impossible to meet these standards. This book offers the reader with an understanding of the results that implementers should be working towards.

The MERS is a member of the Humanitarians Standards Partnership and the economic recovery standard for the Sphere Project.

Contact

For more information on this resource, contact resilientmarkets@seepnetwork.org