Local Social Solidarity and Mutual Assistance Mechanisms in Niger: A ‍Rich and Varied Repertoire for Resilience and Crisis Response

<p dir="ltr">This paper reports on research undertaken on local social solidarity and mutual assistance mechanisms in the Republic of Niger, investigating the different forms these take and their contributions to resilience and response to crises. Findings confirm that in the absence of adequate formal support, individuals, households, and communities rely on these mechanisms as a primary source of social protection. The research also analyses examples of formal assistance that has built on selected mechanisms. It offers suggestions for how consideration for community-based systems and values might be more firmly embedded in national social protection, humanitarian response, and social development policies and programmes.</p>