The point of paracord is that it has thin inner strands which are still quite strong, so 2 feet of it could be disassembled to make around 16 feet in total. Which is a useful quantity.

It can be useful when building shelters, eg to bind supports together. Other kinds of construction, too, such as building traps if you know how to do that. The thread is thin enough to be used as fishing line. It can help keep a dressing in place over a wound. Cord has any number of uses, basically.