Social Resilience

Supportive communities, strong livelihood options and confidence in the face of challenges are elements of social resilience that help people cope with shocks and stressors.

Community Ties

Social Capital Builds Community and Resilience

In times of crises, people often lean on their social networks, social connections and social groups, including family and kinship connections. These relationships play a significant role in how communities plan for, adapt and recover from crisis or climate disaster. Structural inequalities can leave some individuals and networks with relatively few social resources at critical times. Gender equity, youth empowerment and inclusion; infrastructure, such as parks and public spaces for recreation and culture; and community organizations that support cultural, recreational and civic engagement are other elements of social cohesion that build resilience.

Social Resilience in Practice

Research on social resilience can be incorporated into work on the ground. Check out these event recordings to learn more.

How Livelihoods Support is Bolstered by Social Sources of Resilience

Sharing to Survive: The Role of Social Networks during the Yemen Crisis

Social Support in Crises

Whether it be in the context of violence or displacement as was the case in South Sudan, during famine in Somalia, or in the aftermath of natural disaster in Haiti or Japan, research is telling us pretty loudly that households rely on each other for lifesaving support like food, shelter, cash, information about livelihood, and safe passage. And we know that during crisis people’s own social networks are often far more important than formal humanitarian aid.

Dr. Jeeyon Kim, Senior Researcher, mercy Corps

Human Capital Development for a Better Future

Human capital development means helping individuals achieve valuable skills and knowledge, which allow them to contribute to their communities, pursue lucrative work opportunities and ultimately lean on their abilities to weather stressful events.

Investment in this kind of human capital starts with public access to services that meet basic needs. Long-term resilience requires investments in nutrition, health and education to decrease the intergenerational transmission of poverty to future generations. Better outcomes establish assets for future generations to access a variety of livelihood strategies and increase economic growth.

Public services, such as sanitation, water and electricity, also contribute to a healthy life and productivity. When governments are unable or unwilling to provide these services, or when communities or populations are excluded from access, the result is often food insecurity and malnutrition, illness and limited livelihood options and social interactions.

These advantages result in better outcomes and establish assets for future generations to access a variety of livelihood strategies to increase economic growth.

Psychological Well-Being and Coping Strategies

Understanding the perceptions, subjective motivations and social and cognitive elements of individuals, households and communities is critical to understanding best approaches for resilience. Emerging research suggests that specific mindsets — self-efficacy, aspiration and confidence to adapt — are associated with better outcomes for people facing serious challenges.

Social resilience contributes to a sense of confidence in a future. People with a greater sense of control over their lives are less likely to engage in negative coping and life strategies — pulling children out of school, taking on debt or liquidating assets — that damage their ability to absorb and recover from shocks.