Risk-Proofing the Western Balkans: Empowering People to Prevent Disasters

This regional Human Development Report makes the case for the integration of risks and for strategies to reduce disaster risks by incorporating the role that people play, both as victims/survivors of disasters and as agents of change, within development interventions. This proactive approach can be summarised as reducing risks for people and by people. The implications of such a paradigm shift are paramount for the countries of the Western Balkans, prone as they are to natural and human-made hazards and given their willingness to build on the human potential within their societies. It would help countries safeguard existing and future investment, protect lives and livelihoods and empower people so that they are able to contribute to risk reduction.