Adapting and Innovating in the wake of shocks and after shocks

Northeast region of Nigeria has been grappling with complex and protracted humanitarian crisis for over a decade. The region has been severely impacted by the ongoing Boko Haram insurgency. This conflict has resulted in widespread displacement, disruption of livelihoods, and severe food insecurity. The crisis has eroded social structures, damaged infrastructure, and weakened local governance systems, leaving millions of people in need of humanitarian assistance.

This fragile context makes the Northeast particularly vulnerable to various types of shocks. Conflict-related shocks continue to threaten lives and livelihoods, with attacks causing further displacement and economic disruption. Environmental shocks, like droughts and floods, exacerbate food insecurity in a region heavily dependent on agriculture. Economic shocks, including price fluctuations and market disruptions, further strain already vulnerable households. Health shocks, as evidenced by impact of COVID-19 pandemic, overwhelmed the region's weak health systems. 

Additionally, the area is susceptible to social and political shocks that intensify existing tensions and hinder recovery efforts. This multi-faceted vulnerability highlights the need for comprehensive, resilience-building interventions that address both immediate needs and long-term development challenges in the region.

From 2019 to 2024, the Feed the Future Nigeria Rural Resilience Activity (hereafter referred as the Activity or RRA) employed a market systems approach to strengthen resilience. This approach utilized business models and market forces to address development and humanitarian challenges at scale. It focused on evidence-based design and implementation of market-based approaches, to provide communities with products and services that manage shocks and stresses while supporting pathways to increased resilience.