Communities at the Center for Social and Economic Protection

Communities are at the core of health emergencies across all hazards, as well as need- and risk-based interventions. Many countries are facing multiple and/or prolonged crises simultaneously, posing significant risks of social and economic disruption that disproportionately affect vulnerable and marginalized populations. Therefore, the best interests of children, women, and marginalized communities must remain central to collective preparedness and response efforts.

Within the Health Emergency Preparedness and Response (HEPR) Community Protection Framework and the broader Community Protection and Resilience (CPR) approach, communities are not merely recipients of assistance; they are also active participants in their protection and resilience. Multisectoral coordination for social and economic protection is emphasized in Objective 3 of the Community Protection Framework, highlighting the enhancement of equitable, community-centered protection mechanisms as a fundamental aspect of preparedness and response. Therefore, emergency preparedness and response actors must engage with and support communities to ensure that interventions strengthen, rather than undermine, local coping capacities and social cohesion. Community social protection serves as a crucial enabler of locally led emergency management, facilitating quicker, fairer, and more accountable responses to all hazards while promoting equity, inclusion, and resilience across various sectors.

On January 29, 2026, over 750 participants from 170 countries participated in the interactive WHO–UNICEF webinar titled “Ready & Resilient: Community Social Protection for Preparedness and Response.” Participants included practitioners, policymakers, development and humanitarian partners, civil society organizations, and community representatives. The discussion underscored the urgent need for stronger global and national collaboration, along with operational guidance, standard operating procedures, tools, and implementation packages to enhance multisectoral coordination for socioeconomic protection during crises and outbreaks.

A recurring theme was the need to institutionalize multisectoral coordination as an integral part of preparedness, not solely during response. Effective community social protection necessitates collaboration across protection, livelihoods, health, education, governance, and community leadership structures. Especially vulnerable and marginalized groups — including children, individuals with disabilities, those living with non-communicable diseases, adolescents, and populations with occupational exposure to disease — require tailored interventions to ensure equitable access to essential health and social services, reduce financial barriers, and mitigate the effects of crises and loss of livelihoods.

Participants emphasized that community social protection must be incorporated into preparedness planning and aligned with national emergency frameworks. Strengthening the connections between health services, social protection systems, and local governance structures is vital to ensure the continuity of essential services during crises. Cash and Voucher Assistance (CVA), for instance, can address financial and access barriers to care when integrated into preparedness and service delivery models.

Experience sharing from the field has highlighted both promising practices and existing gaps. Vulnerabilities, particularly among children, are often invisible or inadequately addressed within national systems. It is crucial to clearly define and target recipient groups, including marginalized populations frequently excluded from formal social protection systems. Planning and institutionalizing multisectoral coordination mechanisms in advance of crises ensures that roles, responsibilities, and partnerships are established and practiced before emergencies occur.

Leveraging existing community structures and informal networks, as well as enhancing community leadership, is essential for effective engagement throughout the emergency management cycle. Customizing community social protection packages during the preparedness phase—through collaborative planning with relevant sectors and agencies—enhances ownership, facilitates rapid scaling during crises, and mitigates harmful coping strategies. Proactive measures and early assistance aimed at safeguarding livelihoods and ensuring the continuous provision of essential community services are key components of this approach.

The findings from this global exchange align with the operational experience gathered from WHO country offices and partners. Under the Community Protection and Resilience agenda, ongoing efforts focus on creating targeted guidance for WHO country offices and partners concerning multisectoral coordination for community social protection, developing tools for ensuring the continuity of essential community services, and implementing operational strategies within the implementation pathways of the Community Protection Framework.

In parallel, we are establishing communities of practice to enhance knowledge exchange and promote ongoing collaboration among global, regional, and local stakeholders. Expanding community social protection within preparedness systems is not only an issue of equity; it represents a strategic investment in resilient, emergency-ready health systems that protect those most at risk.

Community Protection and Resilience Unit WHO Health Emergencies Programme