Network analysis as a tool for humanitarian protection: research and practice

Abstract

In this article, we explore how network analysis could be used for humanitarian protection. Our objective is bringing together what is known about the role of networks for humanitarian aid intervention and examining how it could be used to respond to emergencies, through interventions which can aid and improve different aspects of the humanitarian protection. Based on this previous research, we develop a systematic framework aimed at informing researchers and practitioners on the different applications of network analysis and visualisations for humanitarian protection in two main areas: (1) to protect individuals and (2) to enable protection at the community level. We believe that the versatility of social network analysis is worth investigating in the context of humanitarian protection.