Cities are attractive: they are the melting pot of political, economic and cultural affairs. Urbanisation, however, has brought with it a growing sense of vulnerability among many city dwellers faced with insecurity, exposure to hazards and insufficient access to basic services. In addition, violence in urban areas poses a serious challenge, which in many cities is reaching unprecedented levels. Gangs and other forms of organized crime generate more and more - often transnational - violence and insecurity, calling even for military action to counter them. Finally, rapid urbanization and the changing context of violence create new challenges for those giving aid and working to prevent conflict, such as the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.