Case Study
Client Assessment in Conflict- and Disaster-Affected Environments: The Experience of Action Contre La Misere in Haiti
Discusses the role of client assessment in helping MFIs cope with armed conflicts and disasters
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This note is a part of the Practitioner Learning Program of the SEEP Network initiative that explores challenges facing the microenterprise field. The note, through the case study from one of the MFI, Action Contre La Misere (ACLAM), in the conflict-disaster affected area of Haiti, explores the challenges faced by MFIs working in such situations.ACLAMs operation combines several contexts like:
- The historical, political and socioeconomic conditions;
- The experience of Hurricane Jeanne and its aftermath;
- ACLAMs participation in the SEEP PLP.
The paper states that MFIs working in disaster and conflict ridden areas have to take into consideration:
- Increased security threats;
- Loss of human resources due to prevailing circumstances;
- Increase in cost due to maintenance of quality and security concerns;
- Slow program growth and loss of assets;
- Volatile market situations.
ACLAM, in the given situation, devised the following ways:
- Commitment to sound operating principles;
- Limitation of risk exposure;
- Shift from program growth to loan recovery and program stabilization;
- Conduction of client assessment, review of the findings and implementation of new services within the given limitations.
In conclusion, the note reflects on ACLAM improvisation strategies:
- Stabilize its loan portfolio and maintain program performance;
- Learn to deal with challenges of operating in such disturbing external environment;
- Realize the importance of the indispensable tool of client assessment.
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