Most analysis in emergency contexts is based on a snapshot of current conditions and livelihoods, and food security assessments are also usually carried out on a one-off basis. In partnership with Evidence for Development and Mercy Corps, in 2006 the Humanitarian Policy Group (HPG) attempted to address this gap by initiating a research study in Northern Uganda that would follow a small sample of households over time. Our findings show that a relatively simple set of tools can be used to gain an understanding of household livelihoods in real time, to better inform the phasing out of relief and the design and targeting of new interventions.