Delphi study: When disaster meets conflict

This research brief analyses how state, non-state and humanitarian actors respond to disasters in different conflict-affected situations. Because the type of conflict matters – for how disasters impact communities and for how aid actors support the people affected – the brief distinguishes different conflict scenarios, notably high-intensity conflict, low-intensity conflict and post-conflict.

Key messages presented in this research brief include:

• Programmes that were considered a success by aid practitioners in post-conflict settings were first and foremost those focusing on prevention and mitigation of disasters, rather than on disaster relief. Such programmes typically take into account the fragility of the setting, and learn how people respond despite their vulnerability. 
• Some challenges practitioners encounter in disaster aid programmes differ according to conflict scenario. 
• However, other challenges are inherent to the aid industry.