High-Level Panel on Social Protection in Fragile and Conflict-Affected Settings
Even in the world’s most fragile places, social protection is possible – and powerful. But it’s still not the norm. The High-Level Panel brings together 15 global leaders to ask why… and to unlock bold solutions.
Social Protection First
Social protection is a basic human right. It includes things like cash support, social insurance, help finding work, and care services. Together, these policies and programmes help people cope with hard times, build better futures, and live with dignity.
Crucial in times of stability, social protection becomes even more vital in crisis. In fragile settings where poverty, conflict, and climate shocks collide, we need Social Protection First – as a proactive investment that helps people withstand, adapt, and recover. Well-designed and inclusive social protection systems protect and empower those hit hardest: women, girls, people with disabilities, and people facing discrimination…
…But in most fragile and conflict affected settings, the underlying social protection system is weak, underfunded, or absent altogether.
PUBLICATIONS
Read our Public Enquiry: Synthesis of Evidence, which draws on 78 submissions on evidence, perspectives and practical solutions to overcome barriers to social protection in fragile contexts. Its findings feed into the recommendations outlined in Social Protection for Stability: A Catalytic Agenda – a call to place social protection at the centre of peace and stability efforts.
Developed by a High-Level Panel of global leaders, this agenda makes a bold, practical case for putting social protection at the heart of peace and stability. It explains why systems remain marginal where most needed and how to fix that. It highlights clear priorities: strengthen nationally led systems, plan transitions between humanitarian aid and state programs, secure predictable financing, and keep systems running through shocks. The message is simple: social protection is essential, not optional – saving lives now and building the foundations for lasting peace and recovery.
Drawing on 78 submissions from governments, agencies, and researchers, this report shows that state-led social protection is both feasible and frequent in fragile settings -challenging assumptions that conflict precludes government action. It highlights the strong economic, social, and political case for investment, proving that well-designed systems reduce poverty, strengthen cohesion, and deliver better value than repeated humanitarian responses. The report sets out strategic directions for scaling and financing inclusive systems that can flex during crises while building resilience over time.
Where support falls short
72%
of the world’s extreme poor
live in fragile and conflict-affected settings
80%
of internally displaced people
come from these contexts
52.4%
Only 52.4% of the global population
has access to even one social protection benefit.
And this is dramatically lower in fragile settings.
Social protection receive 7x
less aid than health and education combined
in fragile contexts
contexts went to social protection
Social protection receives
7x
less aid than health and education
combined in fragile contexts
Sources:
OECD (2025) States of Fragility 2025. OECD Publishing
ILO (2024) World Social Protection Report 2024–26: Universal social protection in the context of climate change
OECD Creditor Reporting Systems (2023)
The High-Level Panel: Asking why, unlocking how…
The High-Level Panel on Social Protection in Fragile and Conflict-Affected Settings has been convened to understand why social protection is still being neglected in the places that need it most. And to explore what it will take to change that.
The Panel brings together diverse perspectives with a shared commitment to action. Its goal is to chart a clear path for investing in inclusive, adaptive, nationally grounded social protection systems – even in the hardest places. To do this, it will draw on collective experience, insights from the 2024 Global Forum and, critically, findings from a global public enquiry. The Enquiry has now closed.
Meet the Panel
The Panel brings together global leaders, policymakers, and practitioners with deep expertise in social protection, humanitarian response, and development.
Rt Hon Baroness Chapman of Darlington
Minister of State (International Development and Africa), Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, UK Government
H.E Kenyeh Barlay
Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Government of Sierra Leone
Chair of the G7+
Stefan Dercon
Professor of Economic Policy at the Blavatnik School of Government and Economic Department and Fellow of Jesus College, University of Oxford
Renato Domith Godinho
Special Advisor for International Affairs, Ministry for Social Development and Assistance, Family and Fight Against Hunger, Government of Brazil
Arnaud Dupont
Head of Unit, Strategy, International and Inter-institutional relations, Directorate-General European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations.
Dr. Elke Löbel
Commissioner for Refugee Policy
Director for Displacement and Migration, Crisis Prevention and Crisis Management
Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development of Germany
Prof Dr. Jemilah Mahmood
Executive Director, Sunway Centre for Planetary Health, Sunway University, Malaysia
Ramesh Rajasingham
Director of the Coordination Division, United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
Lord Collins of Highbury
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, UK Government
H.E Kenyeh Barlay
Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Government of Sierra Leone
Chair of the G7+
Stefan Dercon
Professor of Economic Policy at the Blavatnik School of Government and Economic Department and Fellow of Jesus College, University of Oxford
Renato Domith Godinho
Special Advisor for International Affairs, Ministry for Social Development and Assistance, Family and Fight Against Hunger, Government of Brazil .
Antoine LeMasson
Director for Sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, Latin America and Pacific regions, Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations
Dr. Elke Löbel
Commissioner for Refugee Policy, Director for Displacement and Migration, Crisis Prevention and Crisis Management
Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development of Germany
Prof Dr. Jemilah Mahmood
Executive Director, Sunway Centre for Planetary Health, Sunway University, Malaysia
Ramesh Rajasingham
Director of the Coordination Division,United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
What’s next? From enquiry to action
Over six months, the High-Level Panel will gather insights, challenge assumptions, and surface bold, practical recommendations to unlock progress in fragile and conflict-affected settings.
The Panel’s findings and recommendations will be shared through a public report — building momentum for smarter investments in inclusive, adaptive social protection systems that provide people with support and stability before, during, and after crisis.
The Secretariat
| The Secretariat for the High-Level Panel on Social Protection in Fragile and Conflict-Affected Settings is supported by The Social Protection Technical Assistance, Advice, and Resources Facility (STAAR). Funded by FCDO, STAAR provides expert advice, technical assistance, and evidence to support stronger, more inclusive and gender-responsive social protection systems, especially in crisis settings. |
