Bridging market thinking to humanitarian response

The SEEP Network is proud to collaborate with Oxfam on launching the Minimum Economic Recovery Standards (MERS) 3rd Edition in London, UK on May 4th, 2017.

The Minimum Economic Recovery Standards – or MERS Handbook – represent an industry consensus on economic recovery for the humanitarian sector. The MERS have become well recognized and accepted as an industry standard providing tools and guidance to enhance the effectiveness of organizations working to support the economic recovery of crisis-affected populations. The standards highlight strategies designed to promote enterprise and market systems development, asset distribution, financial services, and employment in areas affected by conflict or disaster.

We have lined up a number of exciting speakers for the launch:

• Key speaker Dr. Kizzy Gandy comes to us from the UK Behavioural Insights Team, which started as the world’s first government institution dedicated to the application of behavioural sciences. Dr. Gandy will introduce a framework for understanding of behavioural economics and how it may be applied to humanitarian contexts and market programming to improve impact
• Martin McCann, President of the Sphere Association will speak briefly on the future direction of the Sphere Standards and the role of companion standards such as MERS
• Karri Goeldner Byrne, Steering Committee Member for MERS will introduce the latest version of the handbook and provide insight into the updates and changes that shaped the new edition, as well as providing a sneak peek of the accompanying app due out in May
• Katie Whitehouse of Oxfam will discuss how the MERS is being used in the field, highlighting practical examples from the WASH sector

After the event, we hope that you will join us for some informal networking at a nearby establishment, to give us a chance to keep the discussion going in a relaxed setting.

We look forward to having you at the Impact Hub Westminster in London on May 4th at 15:00 to learn more about the revised edition of the MERS, network with colleagues and hear from thought leaders!