Operating in Fragile States - Lessons from Experience

There are several approaches to fragile states. The first, based on the crisis cycle, distinguishes between deteriorating countries, countries in prolonged crisis, countries emerging from crisis, and countries showing gradual improvement. The second, advocated by the United Kingdom’s Department for International Development (DFID), is based on the characteristics of the state, and more specifically on the combination of its capacity and its political will to resolve crises and ensure equitable distribution of resources to the entire population.