Social Connectedness, Livelihoods, and Resilience in Complex Emergencies

In this partnership with Mercy Corps, the Feinstein International Center team investigates the nature of social networks and social connectedness, and explores how humanitarian assistance can strengthen these as a key aspect of resilience, recovery and relief interventions in complex humanitarian emergencies. This topic is at the crux of a central challenge faced by humanitarian actors: How can assistance best support people’s existing strategies for coping and adapting to crises? While these strategies take multiple forms, most of them are underpinned by people’s social connections and capital. This analysis of how humanitarian assistance has or can support the types of social networks people rely on during crises will help humanitarian actors design responses to better achieve recovery and resilience outcomes. The project consists of mixed methods research in South Sudan and Uganda, paying particular attention to the effects of identity, mobility and migration, and humanitarian action on social connectedness and resilience.

Cover of Sharing to Survive Report

After more than seven years of conflict over 20 million Yemenis—66% of the population—are in need of assistance. Nonetheless, the humanitarian response in Yemen remains severely underfunded. This study examines the ways in which Yemenis have relied on their social networks to survive.

Jeeyon Janet Kim, Maha Elsamahi, Alex Humphrey, Aws Kadasi, Daniel Maxwell

• January 2022

This study looked at how social connections during times of crisis enable populations to manage shocks and stresses in South Sudan.

Jeeyon Janet Kim, Alex Humphrey, Anastasia Marshak, Nyoun Moses Gathuoy, Vaidehi Krishnan

• August 2020
Currency of Connections Report Thumbnail

This briefing paper examines how South Sudanese refugees in settlements in West Nile, Uganda establish and leverage their social connectedness throughout the process of displacement and settlement.

Elizabeth Stites, Alex Humphrey

• January 2020
support systems

This paper provides aid actors insights into localized social protection and support systems in South Sudan and the ways in which humanitarian aid, including cash transfer programming, can both complement...

Alex Humphrey, Vaidehi Krishnan, Roxani Krystalli

• January 2019

This briefing paper explores the establishment and reconfiguration of informal livelihood groups and associations as a form of socioeconomic connectedness in Bentiu, South Sudan.

Roxani Krystalli, Elizabeth Stites, Alex Humphrey, Vaidehi Krishnan

• September 2019
Currency of Connections Cover

This briefing paper examines changes in social connectedness in the Bentiu Protection of Civilians site and surrounding town.

Roxani Krystalli, Daniel Maxwell, Elizabeth Stites, Alex Humphrey, Vaidehi Krishnan

• September 2019
Weddings and Rituals

This briefing paper examines changes to wedding rituals and the nature of marriages in the Bentiu Protection of Civilians site and adjacent areas of Rubkona and Bentiu towns.

Roxani Krystalli, Elizabeth Stites, Alex Humphrey, Vaidehi Krishnan

• September 2019