In a series of reviews, the Secure Livelihoods Research Consortium explores the evidence on livelihoods, basic services and social protection across a range of conflict-affected situations.

This research suggests that social exclusion is a useful lens for researching and analysing the effects of social protection policies and programmes in low- and middle-income countries.

The growth of interest in public works programmes to promote social protection and employment is not entirely evidence-based and may be linked to politics, says Anna McCord.