The article examines why analysis of gender and development often leave out the gendered power relations and changing realities, while also focusing on a more 'relational approach' to gender. Through this analysis, the author examines the nature of gender relations, the unintentional effects of gender programming and the importance of focusing on how gender relations change during crisis’. The key finding of this article is the need for policies to take into account and focus on the way gender relations unfold during humanitarian crisis' and how this leads to both expected and unexpected effects.