In a world where crises are becoming more frequent and complex, the ability for locally-based partners to adapt quickly and at scale is not just important – it is indispensable to effective response and long-term resilience. At Canadian Foodgrains Bank, a significant portion of our programming takes place in fragile contexts where shocks and disruptions such as natural disasters or political upheaval are common.
One of the most significant shifts we’re making as a network to adapt to these external challenges is building in crisis modifiers as long-term development projects are being designed. While we’ve always responded to emergencies and projects are flexible to adapt to changing needs and contexts, this new mechanism provides pre-approved project funding in the event of sudden onset crises like earthquakes or cyclones which enhances the ability of our members’ local partners to respond even faster to the communities they are already serving.
These quick, targeted responses will help communities and families from taking too many steps backwards from the gains they made during the long-term project because of the crisis. For example, people aren’t forced to sell off important assets to get through the crisis that would impact their ability to earn a livelihood.
New crisis modifier mechanisms were created after listening to our members and their local partners. Months of intentional consultations with Foodgrains Bank member agencies and a learning session with local implementing organizations in the countries we’re working led to the finalization of the crisis modifier tool, which was officially rolled out in June 2025.
Partners who are on the ground, working with communities, were able to share what worked well and what could be improved with the crisis modifiers they were familiar with. This feedback was vital in helping us design a system that is flexible, adaptive, and fills a critical gap in our long-term projects. Even before this, some of our member agencies were already experimenting with crisis modifier approaches – using their own funds to support the addition of this new tool to Foodgrains Bank-supported projects.
For example, in Bangladesh, Sustainable Association for Taking Human Development Initiatives (SATHI), supported by Foodgrains Bank member World Renew, incorporated a crisis modifier into its multi-year agriculture and livelihoods project in Cox’s Bazar District, reaching up to 18,800 people. This area is highly susceptible to cyclones, leading to loss of life and devastating impacts on livelihood activities.
In May 2023, during the first phase of the project, Cyclone Mocha wreaked havoc, causing damage to houses, latrines, and crops. Coping with the crisis was challenging for many project participants, especially for vegetable and fruit tree growers who experienced losses. Cow and poultry peer farmer groups faced challenges in relocating their cows and poultry to safe places after the cyclone, and some trainings were delayed as participants spent time cleaning up their properties from the damage.
The goal was to respond immediately, but SATHI needed to wait for the official approval from the Bangladesh government. Once it arrived, they were able to provide food aid support to 50 families and housing repair materials to 105 families, as well as installing 20 new sanitary latrines that had been destroyed. During this type of crisis, every day – sometimes every hour – matters. This led SATHI to incorporate pre-approved contingency funding into the second phase of their project, so they could immediately respond to a future crisis.
“Our experience is that keeping [contingency funds] in our budget always gives space for an immediate disaster response,” says SATHI director Apurba Ghagra. “It also minimizes government approval processes within that critical period… [because] in some severe situations when immediate action is required, it becomes too late for a response.”
Other international partners, such as Trócaire Somalia (supported by our member Development and Peace-Caritas Canada) were instrumental in providing feedback in the development of this new tool, and look forward to incorporating it in future Foodgrains Bank-supported projects.
“In the Somalia context, where communities in Gedo are regularly exposed to recurrent and sudden-onset crises such as conflict, disease outbreaks, and displacement, crisis modifiers have proven to be a critical component of adaptive and responsive programming,” says Europe Maalim, head of programmes at Trócaire Somalia.
“For example, during recent measles outbreaks and acute watery diarrhoea (AWD) surges in 2023, 2024, and 2025, the crisis modifier allowed us to respond immediately with lifesaving interventions, without waiting for new funding cycles or donor approvals. This agility not only saved lives but also prevented the escalation of emergencies into full-scale humanitarian crises.”
The crisis modifier tool is a growing feature in the world of international development. It has already been adopted by major international donors in recognition of the significant benefits it provides for implementing organizations who can respond rapidly to evolving needs of participants without derailing long-term development goals.
By embracing this new tool through listening, learning, and adapting to the requests of local partners, we’re not just reacting to crises as they happen – we’re building resilience and provisions into our programming to better support vulnerable communities, even in the most challenging circumstances.
