Social Resilience

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. 

The ability to lean on others during times of need is another powerful predictor of individual and household resilience. Inclusion, infrastructure, and community organizations that supports cultural, recreational and civic engagement are other elements of social cohesion that build resilience.

These sources of resilience contribute to a sense of self-efficacy and confidence in a future. People with a higher sense of control over their lives are less likely to engage in negative coping strategies that damage their ability to absorb and recover from shocks. 

Understanding the perceptions, subjective motivations, and social and cognitive elements of individuals, households, and communities is critical to understanding best approaches for resilience.