This study builds on an emerging body of evidence that examines the strategies conflict-affected Syrians employ to protect and adapt their lives and livelihoods and how they feed, clothe and shelter their families. The stakes for development organisations are high: Research in crisis settings has shown that when humanitarian actors fail to understand a population’s existing coping strategies, they may inadvertently undermine them.2 Identifying and strengthening the conditions that enable Syrians to improve their household welfare can help us meet them with more responsive humanitarian assistance that strengthens the markets they access and the social connections they depend on.

Tags: cash, credit, crisis, displaced persons, effect, emergency, employment, enabling environment, financial services, fragile and conflict-affected environments/settings, humanitarian, internally displaced person/people, labor/labour, livelihoods, microfinance, outcome, shelter, technology