Pro-Poor Urban Safety through Local Government Capacity Building

Why Safety for the Poor?

Asia-Pacific has always been considered as the world’s safest region. But things are beginning to change. Crime and the fear of insecurity are slowly emerging as a serious concern in some cities of the region.

People often assume that poverty leads to crime. But the reality is different. The poor people are more vulnerable as a victim of crime. Even a relatively minor crime can have devastating impacts on their livelihoods.

At the same time, crime and the fear of insecurity deteriorate their quality of life. It erodes the poor’s human, social, physical and natural capital. This makes it harder to escape poverty.

The lack of income, for example, means that the poor cannot afford protection, including private security services and physically secure housing.

The lack of access means that the poor people live and work in places where public services, such as street lightening, are minimal.

The lack of voice means that the poor get less effective services from the police or other authorities.

In short, the lack of safety perpetuates the cycle of poverty.

Intervention

UNESCAP and UN-HABITAT are working together to address the issue of urban safety as an entry point for poverty reduction through a joint regional project.

The project aims to help urban local governments and their partners in the Asia-Pacific to initiate effective urban safety programmes with and for the poor.

It will do this through various ways. One is to develop a knowledge base on how best to do it. Another is to provide hands-on, practical skills to operationalize it in reality. Another is to advocate and to sensitize key stakeholders on the strategic importance of addressing pro-poor urban safety.

Related links:

UN-HABITAT Safer Cities Programme

For more information, contact:

Ms. Laura Petrella
Acting Coordinator, Safer Cities Programme
UN-HABITAT
P.O.Box 30030 Nairobi, 00100, Kenya
Tel. +254-20-7623706
Fax: +254-20-7623536
Email: Laura.Petrella@unhabitat.org
URL: www.unhabitat.org/categories.asp?catid=375

Mr. Yap Kioe Sheng
Chief, Poverty Reduction Section
Poverty and Development Division
UNESCAP, UN Building,
Rajdamnern Nok Ave.
Bangkok 10200, Thailand
Tel: 66-2-288-1600
Fax: 66-2-288-1097
E-mail:escap-prs@un.org