crisis

Remittances during crises: implications for humanitarian response

Posted by LeighJaschke on Jul 07, 2009
Remittances during crises: implications for humanitarian response data sheet 2028 Views
Author: 
Savage, Kevin; Harvey, Paul
Publication Date: 
May 2007
Publication Type: 
Report/White paper
Abstract: 

This HPG Briefing Paper reports on a study into
the role that remittances play in crises. This
work explored how affected people use
remittance income to survive and recover from
crises, the effect that crises can have on
remittance flows and the way that humanitarian
responses consider the role of remittances. The
study was based on a review of relevant
literature, as well as detailed case studies in
Haiti, Pakistan, Somaliland, Sudan, Indonesia
and Sri Lanka. The study concludes that, while
remittances should not be seen as a panacea or
substitute for humanitarian action, there is clear
potential for humanitarian actors to do more to
explore the complementarities between
emergency relief and people’s own efforts to
support friends and family in times of crisis.