Home › Archived Programs › CAS ›

CAS: Post Conflict Assessments

in
Print

Introduction

Economic recovery assessments give USAID missions a concise and easy-to-read evaluation of economic growth performance in countries receiving USAID assistance that are affected by conflict.

The assessments synthesize indicators from a variety of publicly accessible sources, such as the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, the Millennium Challenge Corporation, the United Nations, and the World Economic Forum, and uses international benchmarking to identify areas in which a country’s performance is particularly strong or weak.

The assessments cover 15 topics in three categories: economic and conflict recovery overview; the private sector–enabling environment, and the pro-poor growth environment.

 

Methodology

The Country Analytic Support project conducts rapid analyses of the strengths and weaknesses of designated countries’ economies. The CAS methodology for conflict-affected countries is based on an examination of economic, conflict, and social indicators. The post-conflict template is adapted from the Country Analytical Template, taking the particular circumstances of post-conflict recovery settings into consideration.

Countries affected by conflict are generally characterized by a lack of government capacity, minimal private sector activity, weak or damaged infrastructure, and a population that lives in uncertainty, often after fleeing war. Sustained peace and economic growth and poverty reduction are goals that are influenced by many elements, including population growth, public provision of education and health services, job creation and workforce development (especially among youth), demographic composition, agricultural development, and progress toward gender equity.

In many post-conflict countries the interaction between security conditions and economic performance must be taken into consideration. Conflict, or even the risk of conflict, can adversely affect growth; conversely, an end to conflict can boost economic growth and development. Not only can conflict affect an economy, economic conditions can affect security—for better or worse.