Poverty in Polycrisis Dynamic Pathways for Lasting Change

List of figures

List of tables

List of boxes

Foreword

Acknowledgements

Part I: Framing the polycrisis: Theory, concepts and poverty linkages

Chapter 1: Introduction

1.1 Key terms

1.2 Mixed methods evidence

1.3 Conclusion and contributions

References

Chapter 2: Conceptualising polycrisis and poverty dynamics

2.1 A crisis of sustainability

2.2 Introducing an integrated framework

2.3 Country-level analysis of crises and poverty in focus countries

2.4 Conclusion

References

Part II: Mixed methods evidence on poverty dynamics in times of polycrisis

Chapter 3: Poverty dynamics and economic crisis in a changing climate

3.1 Churning and chronic poverty amidst climate-related and economic crises

3.2 Changing role of agriculture in poverty dynamics amidst climate-related disasters and economic crises

3.3 ‘Maladaptive’ economic policies across rural-urban divides reinforce downward mobility

3.4 Conclusion

References

Chapter 4: Poverty dynamics amidst the climate-conflict nexus

4.1 The amplification of downward mobility amidst the climate-conflict nexus

4.2 Competition over resources at the climate-conflict nexus

4.3 Crises-like economic conditions generated by conflict

4.4 Human development outcomes at the climate-conflict nexus

4.5 Conclusion

References

Chapter 5: Humanitarian contexts, extreme polycrisis and acute poverty frontiers

5.1 Afghanistan: insights on the acuteness of poverty

5.2 Nigeria: insights on chronic poverty and sustained impoverishment

5.3 Conclusion

References

Chapter 6: Surviving or thriving? Coping responses and pathways out of poverty amidst polycrisis

6.1 Coping with polycrisis

6.2 Sustaining escapes from poverty amidst polycrisis

6.3 Conclusion

References

Part III: From evidence to action: Policy and programmatic pathways

Chapter 7: Centring equity and risk in institutional responses to polycrisis

7.1 Programmatic gaps: working ‘despite’ and ‘in’ polycrisis

7.2 Policy entry points to climate-related disasters, COVID-19 and its legacy effects

7.3 Responding to conflict intersections and humanitarian emergencies

7.4 Working ‘on’ polycrisis by promoting recovery programming

7.5 Discussion and conclusion

References

Chapter 8: Breaking the link between polycrisis and poverty

8.1 Equitably addressing social, economic and environmental risk before, during and after polycrisis

8.2 Cross-cutting principles to rebalance risk and equity

8.3 Concluding thoughts

References

Annexes 

Index

Biography

Vidya Diwakar is Deputy Director of the Chronic Poverty Advisory Network, and a Senior Research Fellow at the Institute of Development Studies, UK.

“A fascinating and evidence-packed book on how poverty cannot be viewed in isolation but must be considered in connection with overlapping and compounding crises – which often affect poor communities simultaneously. The
author makes a compelling argument for integrating poverty reduction programs with, for example, disaster relief and conflict resolution programs.”
Dr Christian Oldiges, Chief, Social Policy Section, Socio-economic Development Division, United Nations Economic Commission for Africa.

"Diwakar's excellent volume makes an important contribution to the literature by exploring the complex interrelationships between poverty and 'polycrisis' (related to the intersection of climate change, conflict and economic instability) drawing on multiple countries in the Global South and a range of research methods. It will be of great interest to scholars, policy-makers and practitioners, working on poverty and related issues."

Professor Paul Shaffer, Department of International Development Studies, Trent University.

"In this incisive and timely work, Dr. Vidya Diwakar masterfully unpacks the complex interplay between poverty and multiple overlapping crises, offering a rich conceptual framework, grounded evidence from diverse country contexts, and urgently needed policy pathways to disrupt cycles of vulnerability. A must-read for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers alike."

Dr Orzala Nemat, Director, Development Research Group LTD, and former Director, Afghanistan Research and Evaluation Unit.