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DISASTER – A serious disruption of the functioning of a community or a society involving

widespread human, material, economic or environmental losses and impacts, which exceeds
the ability of the affected community or society to cope using its own resources.

Disasters are often described as a result of the combination of: the exposure to a hazard;
the conditions of vulnerability that are present; and insufficient capacity or measures to
reduce or cope with the potential negative consequences. Disaster impacts may include
loss of life, injury, disease and other negative effects on human physical, mental and social
well-being, together with damage to property, destruction of assets, loss of services, social
and economic disruption and environmental degradation.

HAZARD – A dangerous phenomenon, substance, human activity or condition that may

cause loss of life, injury or other health impacts, property damage, loss of livelihoods and
services, social and economic disruption, or environmental damage. Such hazards arise from
a variety of geological, meteorological, hydrological, oceanic, biological, and technological
sources, sometimes acting in combination.

EXPOSURE – This refers to areas or location that may potentially be affected by hazard
where people, infrastructure, and other resources may be found.

VULNERABILITY – The characteristic of an element that influences the level to which it

may be affected by a hazard event.

RISK – This is the likelihood of severe outcomes due to hazard events occurring in exposure
areas with a high level of vulnerability.

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Organic or conveyed
by biological vectors,
Outbreaks of epidemic diseases, plant
including exposure
Biological hazard or animal contagion, insect or other
to pathogenic micro-
animal plagues and infestations.
organisms, toxins, and
bioactive substances

Earthquakes, volcanic activity and

emissions, landslides, surface collapse,
and mudflows

Note: Hydrometeorological factors are

Internal earth processes
important contributors to some of these
Geological hazard and related geophysical
processes. Tsunamis are difficult to
processes
categorize; although they are triggered
by undersea earthquakes and other
geological events, they are essentially
an oceanic process that is
manifested as a coastal water-related
hazard.

Tropical cyclones (typhoons and

hurricanes), thunderstorms, hailstorms,
Hydrometeorological Atmospheric, hydrological,
tornados, blizzards, coastal storm
hazard or oceanographic nature
surges, floods including flash floods,
drought, heatwaves, and cold spells

Technological or industrial
conditions, including Industrial pollution, nuclear radiation,
accidents, dangerous toxic wastes, dam failures, transport
Technological hazard
procedures, infrastructure accidents, factory explosions,
failures, or specific human fires, and chemical spills
activities

Note: Climate change intensifies hydrometeorological hazards. Recent studies suggest

that climate change may also amplify biological hazards

Source: United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (2009). Terminology
on Disaster Risk Reduction. retrieved from: https://www.unisdr.org/files/7817_
UNISDRTerminologyEnglish.pdf

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