Defying the odds, people survive while conflict rages round them. How do they do it? In situations of chronic conflict and political instability (SCCPIs) can livelihoods analysis complement a political economy approach? What kind of aid channels are best suited to efforts to support livelihoods? A paper from the Overseas Development Institute (ODI) traces the development of livelihoods approaches taken by relief agencies and how they define and react to ‘crises’ and ‘emergencies’.