Crisis situations and response

In contexts affected by conflict, disaster and displacement, the ILO’s work promotes decent work across the Humanitarian–Development–Peace (HDP) Nexus, with decent work bridging humanitarian assistance to longer-term development and peace efforts. While not a humanitarian organization, the ILO plays a vital role in prevention, recovery and reconstruction, by assessing the impacts of crises on jobs and businesses, strengthening social protection systems, and supporting workers’ and employers’ organizations in crisis response.

Today, around 2 billion people live in fragile and conflict-affected settings, and more than 117 million are forcibly displaced, most exposed to severe disaster risks. Women and girls are disproportionately affected, with 612 million now living in conflict zones. These crises disrupt livelihoods, weaken institutions and labour markets, and deepen decent work deficits. They also intensify inequalities, often worsening women’s working conditions while increasing unpaid care responsibilities, with long-term risks for poverty, stability and social cohesion.

Founded on the principle that lasting peace depends on social justice, the ILO works with governments, workers’ and employers’ organizations, UN partners and others to address the root causes of crises.