What does “resilience” mean in humanitarian aid?
Resilience is the capacity of people, communities, systems, or institutions to anticipate, withstand, adapt to, and recover from shocks.
What the figure or term means
In Afghanistan it can involve water systems, diversified livelihoods, savings, social networks, health services, and climate-adapted agriculture.
Repairing irrigation can reduce exposure to a future dry season.
Resilience language should not shift responsibility for structural failures onto vulnerable households.
When the term affects eligibility, safety, funding, or program design, check the complete cited standard rather than relying on a short definition.
How to use this information responsibly
Humanitarian terms are useful only when their technical meaning is preserved. These explainers translate common language without replacing the source standards used by professional responders.
Organizations may apply a term under a specific policy, assessment framework, or program design. Read the cited standard before using a glossary page for an operational decision.
Check the underlying information.
Editorial standard: This page is reviewed by a person, sourced to Famidi records or authoritative references, and revised when the program or underlying guidance changes. It does not replace legal, tax, medical, or financial advice.