Humanitarian Protection

Trócaire has a particular focus on Protection in our humanitarian programmes.

This includes a commitment to Protection Mainstreaming (or Safe Programming), which we aim to embed in all our humanitarian work. In practice, this means delivering programmes that:

• Prioritise the safety and dignity of communities we support and avoid causing harm;
• Ensure meaningful access to our programmes, with a particular focus on individuals or groups that might be vulnerable or marginalised – including women, older people or people with disabilities;
• Are accountable to the communities we support, including listening to and addressing concerns and complaints; and
• Are built on the participation and empowerment of crisis-affected communities.

Our work on Protection also includes specialised protection programmes for women, girls and at-risk groups in emergency settings. These programmes focus on responding to and preventing sexual and gender-based violence, working in fragile or conflict-affected contexts in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Lebanon, Myanmar, Somalia, South Sudan, Uganda and Ethiopia.

Our interventions place an emphasis on linking women, girls and other at-risk groups to existing family and community support networks, as well as providing more specialised care when needed. This might include psychological and social support, support with safety planning, or support in accessing health services or legal aid. In Women’s and Girls’ Safe Spaces, group activities support coping capacity and resilience. We also work with key members of the community (such as healthcare staff or community leaders) to combat stigma and strengthen response systems.

Working in partnership with local organisations – including women-centred organisations – our activities are community-led and rooted in local context and culture. We take a survivor-centred approach and are committed to meeting international standards and best practice, including the Inter-Agency Minimum Standards for GBV in Emergencies Programming (2019).

We are committed to participatory research and learning to ensure our interventions are based on the best available evidence to meet the needs and priorities of women and girls affected by crisis.

We are a Partner to the Call to Action on Protection from Gender-Based Violence in Emergencies and a Core Member of the Gender Based Violence Area of Responsibility.