Investing in health, particularly that of the poor, is central to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. In support of this strategy WHO's Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean is actively promoting in countries of the Region community-based initiatives like Basic Development Needs, Healthy Cities, Healthy Villages and Women in Health and Development. These approaches are based on the principle that good health status-an important goal in its own right-is central to creating and sustaining the capabilities of poor people to meet their basic needs and to escape from poverty. This report presents the contribution made by such initiatives in empowering local communities and vulnerable groups to acquire their essential needs through the efficient use of available resources. It indicates by example the reduction in poverty levels and improvement in quality of life that it is possible to achieve through community empowerment.