Investing in Security
A Global Assessment of Armed Violence Reduction Initiatives
Conservative estimates indicate that at least 740 000 men, women, youth and children
die each year as a result of armed violence, most of them in low- and medium-income
settings. The majority of these deaths occur in situations other than war, though
armed conflicts continue to generate a high incidence of casualties. Approaches
to preventing and reducing these deaths and related suffering are becoming increasingly
important on the international agenda. In spite of the global preoccupation with the
costs and consequences of armed violence, comparatively little evidence exists about
how to stem its risks and effects. Virtually no information is available on Armed
Violence Reduction and Prevention interventions, much less their effectiveness.
This publication aims to fill this gap. It seeks to generate more understanding of
what works and what does not, to stimulate further evaluation and to contribute to
more effective and efficient policies and programmes.
A large-scale mapping of Armed Violence Reduction and Prevention activities around
the world form the basis of analysis, focusing primarily on programming trends in
six countries – Brazil, Burundi, Colombia, Liberia, South Africa and Timor-Leste.
These countries represent the very different programming contexts – from high rates
of urban criminal violence to protracted post-conflict insecurity – in which development
practitioners are currently engaged.
While offering new data and analysis, this assessment builds directly on the 2009
publication Armed Violence Reduction: Enabling Development.
Published on September 16, 2011
In series:Conflict and Fragilityview more titles