Minimum Economic Recovery Standards

When natural disasters, conflicts, or other crises occur, truly effective aid meets the immediate needs of the population while priming it for sustainable economic recovery. Developing common standards for doing so is a first step toward stronger and more scalable impact. This initiative represents an industry consensus on minimum standards for economic strengthening programs in crisis situations, which are detailed in the Minimum Economic Recovery Standards, Second Edition.

Addressed in the standards are strategies designed to promote enterprises, employment, cash flow, and asset management among livelihoods in areas affected by conflict or disaster. In putting forth these standards, SEEP aims to improve the capabilities and accountability of humanitarian and economic practitioners. 

The published standards are intended to serve as a guide for three groups in particular:

• Practitioners experienced in emergency situations, but less familiar with economic recovery initiatives
• Practitioners experienced in economic development but unaccustomed to crisis environments
• Practitioners and programs working in multiple sectors in crisis environments, such as health, education, infrastructure, or HIV/AIDS

This year, the second edition of Minimum Economic Recovery Standards was accepted as a companion standard to the Sphere Handbook 2011 edition for minimum standards in humanitarian response.

Learning Product

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The SEEP staff contact for this initiative is Nisha Singh, Director of the Financial Services Community of Practice. Please contact Nisha if you are interested in participating in an upcoming training, or hosting a training for your organization.