This guidance was developed during the global financial crisis that erupted in 2008 which, coupled with food and fuel price volatility, affected developing countries, and within them the vast majority of the world’s poor population in profound ways. Based on both experiences in previous crises and the information that was available then on the crisis, this guidance examined how crises affect households and their children. Much of what is included in this briefing paper also applies to the current COVID-19 crisis.