Protection: What is it anyway?

Protection in a humanitarian context can seem a daunting challenge, and many non-specialists may feel it is too complex, technical or risky to take on board in their programmes. Fundamentally, though, protection is about people being safe from the harm others might cause them when conflict or disaster may leave them more vulnerable. This booklet provides an overview of what protection means in practice, who is responsible for making it happen and what those in need of protection can expect of humanitarians. The risks that people face can take many forms and require a range of actions, some more specialised than others. This booklet gives a broad outline for humanitarians in other fields, and also includes links to more detailed resources.