Today’s development challenges rarely unfold in isolation. Climate shocks trigger food insecurity, economic crises undermine health systems, disasters fuel displacement, and insecurity cascades across communities and institutions and have grave consequences on people's human insecurities: their survival, livelihoods, and dignity. In such poly-risk environments, traditional sector-by-sector responses are no longer sufficient.What is needed is an approach that is people-centered, risk-informed, and intersectoral, capable of linking national planning with the lived realities of communities.

To meet this need, the Human Security for Poly-Risk (HSPR) Methodology was developed whichrecognizes that security is not only about protection from shocks, but also about empowerment, dignity, and participation.  Designed to help governments, development partners, and UN actors integrate the Human Security approach into both policy and programming, the methodology provides a structured yet flexible framework for navigating complex, interconnected risks. It was developed under the UNDP’s regional project “Integrating Human Security in Development Programming for Building Resilience to Address Multi-Dimensional Risks in Asia and the Pacific’ which isfunded by the United Nations Trust Fund on Human Security. 

In the context of Asia and the Pacific, the region is exposed to natural disasters like, storms, floods, earthquake and drought. And these challenges are exacerbated by structural and social vulnerabilities. This methodology has been piloted in Nepal and Bangladesh as these two are among the countries where disasters disproportionately affect poor and marginalized communities.

At its core, this methodology combines whole-of-government and whole-of-society approaches, ensuring that ministries, local authorities, civil society, and communities work together to identify risks, prevent harm, and strengthen resilience. However, it does not replace existing planning systems; rather, it embeds human security principles within national development cycles and sectoral policies. 

The framework unfolds through four interconnected phases: baseline human security mapping and poly-risk assessment; participatory and inter-sectoral design; coordinated and inclusive implementation; and human security-based evaluation and adaptive learning. Each phase is supported by practical tools—such as participatory vulnerability and capacity assessments, poly-risk atlases, inter-sectoral planning protocols, and adaptive feedback mechanisms—making the methodology operational and feasible in real-world contexts.

At the community level, the programme builds resilience through inclusive, participatory decision-making that centers marginalized voices. By involving communities in identifying needs and shaping locally relevant solutions, and by strengthening skills through targeted consultations, it enhances social cohesion and collective preparedness for future crises.

At the policy level, the methodology complements these grassroots efforts with top-down protection mechanisms. It supports governments and development practitioners in addressing interconnected human security risks and designing policies that respond directly to people’s needs. 

Piloted through multi-level consultations with senior decision-makers, technical officials, and local communities, this  methodology demonstrated its added value in capturing cascading risks andformalizing inter-sectoral collaboration. By integrating risk analysis, participation, and learning across the policy cycle, the methodology helps governments and partners avoid harmful trade-offs and deliver responses that strengthen resilience and human dignity. 

The HSPR Methodology provides a practical pathway for translating Human Security from principle into practice—where development planning in poly-risk situations not only manages risks but also protects and empowers people at its core. In January, eight countries will be coming together bringing together diverse stakeholders to introduce the Methodological Framework and further advocate for the Human Security concept as a practical, scalable approach for resilience and sustainable development in poly-risk contexts.