What constitutes a 'threat to civilians' in the context of PoC missions?

In the context of Protection of Civilians (PoC) missions, a 'threat to civilians' encompasses any act of violence or intimidation against individuals who are not actively participating in hostilities. This includes a wide range of actions, such as armed attacks, assault, sexual violence, and coercive practices that instill fear and cause harm to the civilian population. The focus of PoC is to safeguard individuals against such threats, recognizing that civilians are often the most vulnerable in conflict situations.

In contrast, other options represent more specific circumstances or factors that might affect civilians but do not entirely embody the broader definition of a threat. Military attacks on civilian buildings might contribute to civilian harm but are too specific, as they don't account for the full scope of violence or intimidation against civilians. Political unrest can create dangerous environments but isn't inherently a direct threat, as not all unrest results in targeted violence against civilians. Economic sanctions may impact civilians' living conditions but do not qualify as direct acts of violence or intimidation, which is the heart of the matter in PoC.