What is Protection?

Protection encompasses all activities aimed at ensuring full respect for the rights of the individual in accordance with human rights law, international humanitarian law (which applies in situations of armed conflict), and refugee law.

States have the primary responsibility to protect people within their jurisdiction. In situations of natural disasters, national authorities are responsible for providing assistance and protection to those affected. In situations of armed conflict, all parties to the conflict, i.e., States and organized armed groups, must respect and protect civilians. This includes ensuring they are spared from the effects of fighting and have access to food, medical, and other basic services. When national authorities or other parties to conflict are unable or unwilling to meet these obligations, humanitarian organizations may—with the parties’ consent—provide assistance to the affected population. In addition, such organizations may undertake advocacy to promote the rights of the population and encourage the primary duty-bearers to meet their obligations. Some humanitarian actors, such as the International Committee of the Red Cross and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), have a specific “protection mandate.”