Publication

This paper identifies the policy design and implementation features that enable timely and adequate responses to shocks that affect entire communities, such as economic crises, natural disasters and conflict. The author first reviews the main types and impacts of shocks, the social protection needs they raise and the main challenges for effective social protection in these circumstances. She then examines the main social protection design, delivery, financing and planning instruments necessary to enable adequate responses, the way in which they have been used in the context of different crises and the lessons derived from these experiences.