Úrræði

Úrræði is the Icelandic term for measures, remedies, or means of addressing a problem. It denotes both concrete actions and procedural options that are intended to prevent harm, resolve disputes, or improve conditions. The concept covers a broad range of actions, from everyday steps to formal mechanisms.

In legal and administrative contexts, úrræði describe the remedies, protections, and procedures provided by statutes, regulations, or official policy to enforce rights or duties, provide relief, or safeguard interests. In public policy and governance, úrræði refer to interventions or programs designed to achieve specific goals, such as social support, economic relief, or safety measures. In social welfare and disaster management, they describe planned responses and contingency plans, including time-limited supports, funding schemes, or coordinating services. In everyday language, people may speak of taking úrræði to address a problem—seeking help, making a plan, or changing behavior.

The term is common in Icelandic discourse and is often used in official documents to categorize actions as deliberate responses to a challenge. It is roughly equivalent to “measures” or “remedies” in other languages, and can be paired with domain-specific descriptors such as civil, administrative, or preventive úrræði.

See also: remedies; policy measures; intervention; regulation.