The Handbook has been designed to appeal to a broad readership ranging from policymakers to practitioners. The intention is to promote a common understanding of the different interests, concerns and perspectives with regard to overcrowding, to advance the establishment of common conceptual frameworks and, as a result, to pave the way for coherent and applicable strategies that are designed to address overcrowding in a comprehensive manner. In the ICRC’s experience, small but coordinated steps by a range of actors can make a real difference to the resolution of complex problems.