The paper discusses the role that social protection can play in saving livelihoods while also enhancing the capacity of households to respond, cope and withstand threats and crises. The paper builds on FAO Social Protection Framework (FAO, 2017) and focuses on the role of social protection systems in humanitarian contexts, with a closer look at protracted crises and a discussion on the importance of shock-sensitive and responsive systems, even in stable contexts. The paper acknowledges that strengthening resilience at national and community levels requires a multisector approach, where risk-informed social protection interventions, including cash transfers, can become a critical component. The paper falls within the current context of i) increased complexity and recurrence of humanitarian crises; ii) massive population movements due to distress migration, forced and protracted displacement; iii) limited financial, capacity to effectively meet humanitarian appeals and; iv) scale-up of social protection interventions and innovations across regions. It draws upon a review of FAO work on social protection in development and humanitarian contexts, and then develops the key aspects of the FAO approach vis-à- vis social protection in a range of different scenarios. In conclusion, key messages for FAO future engagement in this sector are identified.