This synthesis report consolidates the evidence and lessons learned from the research, drawing on all the case studies and other outputs, including the literature review as well aspolicy briefs on systems development and monitoring and evaluation. It highlights the key ways in which social protection systems may contribute to mitigate the effect of, or respond to, large-scale shocks, and the opportunities and challenges therein; presents the features of programme design and implementation that determine the efficiency and effectiveness of the response; and summarises lessons on achieving a successful collaboration between the humanitarian, DRM and social protection systems.