● Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR): The concept of reducing disaster risks through a systematic effort to analyze and manage the causal factors of disasters, including through preventive measures (policies, regulations, and structural measures) and reducing existing vulnerabilities and hazards.[UNDRR]
● Hazard: A dangerous phenomenon, substance, or situation that could potentially cause damage or loss of life. [UNISDRTerminology 2009, p. 17]
● Vulnerability: The conditions determined by physical, social, economic, and environmental factors that increase the susceptibility of a community to the impact of hazards. [UNISDR Terminology 2009, p. 22]
● Capacity: The ability of a system, community or society to cope with the negative effects of disasters through preparedness, response and recovery, and to adapt and grow in a post-disaster situation. [UNISDR Terminology 2009, p. 13]
● Risk: The potential losses in lives, health, property, livelihoods, quality of life, economic activity, physical infrastructure, environment, and cultural heritage, caused by interacting elements of hazard, vulnerability and capacity. The likelihood of a hazard occurring and the magnitude of its impact will vary depending on the location and characteristics of thepopulation and the environment. [UNISDR Terminology 2009, p. 20]
● Early Warning Systems (EWS): A system of interrelated components designed to detect risks, assess the imminence of a hazard, and issue timely warnings to people in vulnerable areas that could potentially be affected. [UNISDR Terminology 2009, p. 15]