Resilience and self-reliance from a protection and solutions perspective

Efforts to strengthen self-reliance and resilience are aimed at equipping and preparing persons of concern to the Office to respond to the protection risks they face and to take advantage of opportunities leading to durable solutions. This paper explores the linkages between self-reliance and resilience, and describes how they are relevant in the context of forced displacement. It then sets out how UNHCR’s work enhances protection and solutions by supporting self-reliance and resilience in three key areas: (1) strengthening the capacity of national services in the area of preparedness and emergency response, including contingency planning; (2) supporting national systems and local communities in responding to displacement once it occurs; and (3) helping equip the displaced for the future.