A system for protecting a diaphragm of a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) device includes a housing coupled to the MEMS device such that its sensing diaphragm is surrounded thereby. A perforated barrier in the housing is adjacent to the sensing diaphragm. A protection diaphragm in the housing has its first side exposed to an external environment of interest, and has its second side facing the perforated barrier and spaced apart therefrom. A fluid is disposed contiguously between the second side of the protection diaphragm and the sensing diaphragm.