● Disaster: A serious disruption of the functioning of a community or society involving widespread human, material, economic or environmental losses which exceed the ability of the affected community or society to cope using its own resources [UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR)]
● Vulnerability: The conditions determined by physical, social, economic, and environmental factors that increase the susceptibility of a community to the impact of hazards [UNDRR]
● Transboundary disaster: A disaster with negative impacts that extend beyond the national border of the affected country [UNDRR]
● Capacity building: Efforts to increase the ability of individuals, communities, institutions, or countries to prepare for, withstand, and recover from a disaster [UN]
● Early warning system: A system for providing timely and effective warnings to potential affected communities about the likelihood of a hazard, its severity, and the impending emergency [UNDRR]
● Climate change adaptation: The process of adjustment to a new or changing environment. It refers to actions taken to minimize the negative effects of climate change and take advantage of opportunities that may arise [UNFCCC]
● Humanitarian assistance: The provision of aid to people affected by a human-caused crisis or natural disaster, particularly in areas of conflict. It is distinct from development aid which seeks to address the root causes of poverty and under-development [UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)]