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what is the meaning of vulnerability in disaster

by Ellie Christiansen Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Vulnerability is the inability to resist a hazard or to respond when a disaster has occurred. For instance, people who live on plains are more vulnerable to floods than people who live higher up.

Full Answer

What vulnerability means?

A vulnerability is a weakness or error in a system or device's code that, when exploited, can compromise the confidentiality, availability, and integrity of data stored in them through unauthorized access, elevation of privileges, or denial of service.

What is the effect of vulnerability to disaster?

Vulnerability represents the susceptibility of a given population to harmful effects from exposure to hazardous events. It directly affects disaster preparation, response, and recovery [4]. Hazardous event can directly or indirectly affect the health status of an individual or a population.

What are the examples of vulnerability?

Examples of VulnerabilityTaking chances that might lead to rejection.Talking about mistakes you have made.Sharing personal information that you normally keep private.Feeling difficult emotions such as shame, grief, or fear.Reconnecting with someone you have fallen out with.More items...•

What are the causes of vulnerability in disaster management?

Vulnerability relates to a number of factors, including:Physical factors. e.g. poor design and construction of buildings, unregulated land use planning, etc. ... Social factors. ... Economic factors. ... Environmental factors.

What is vulnerability and risk?

Vulnerability refers to a weakness in your hardware, software, or procedures. (In other words, it's a way hackers could easily find their way into your system.) And risk refers to the potential for lost, damaged, or destroyed assets.

What are the 4 main types of vulnerability in disaster?

The different types of vulnerability In the table below four different types of vulnerability have been identified, Human-social, Physical, Economic and Environmental and their associated direct and indirect losses.

What are the causes of vulnerability?

Underlying causes. Poverty.Dynamic pressures. Lack of.Unsafe conditions. Fragile physical environment.Trigger event. Earthquake.

What is the most common vulnerability?

OWASP Top 10 VulnerabilitiesInjection. Injection occurs when an attacker exploits insecure code to insert (or inject) their own code into a program. ... Broken Authentication. ... Sensitive Data Exposure. ... XML External Entities. ... Broken Access Control. ... Security Misconfiguration. ... Cross-Site Scripting. ... Insecure Deserialization.More items...

What are vulnerabilities explain and give at least 2 examples?

Examples of Vulnerabilities Below are some examples of vulnerability: A weakness in a firewall that can lead to malicious hackers getting into a computer network. Lack of security cameras. Unlocked doors at businesses.

Who are the most vulnerable to disaster?

One measure of the strength of a community's response and recovery system is its attentiveness to its most vulnerable citizens–children, the frail elderly, the disabled, and the impoverished and disenfranchised. It is a cruel fact: disasters discriminate.

What is vulnerability and risk in disaster management?

It considers the probability of harmful consequences, or expected losses (deaths, injuries, property, livelihoods, economic activity disrupted or environmentally damaged) resulting from interactions between natural or human induced hazards and vulnerable conditions.

Which of the following best describes a vulnerability?

D. Explanation: A vulnerability is a flaw or weakness in system security procedures, design or implementation that could be exercised (accidentally triggered or intentionally exploited) and result in a harm to an IT system or activity.

What is vulnerability and risk in disaster management?

It considers the probability of harmful consequences, or expected losses (deaths, injuries, property, livelihoods, economic activity disrupted or environmentally damaged) resulting from interactions between natural or human induced hazards and vulnerable conditions.

What are the factors affecting disaster?

Disaster knowledge factors are classified into several categories based on their characteristics: Technological, Social, Environmental, Legal, Economical, Operational/ Managerial, Institutional and Political.

What are the conditions that make you vulnerable to disaster?

Physical/material conditions: Initial well-being, strength and resilience (high mortality rates, malnutrition, disease) Weak infrastructure, such as buildings, sanitation, electricity supply, roads and transportation. Occupation in a risky area (insecure/ risk-prone sources of livelihood)

What are the causes of vulnerability?

Underlying causes. Poverty.Dynamic pressures. Lack of.Unsafe conditions. Fragile physical environment.Trigger event. Earthquake.

Scientific Method-

This method is used to determine the various indicators to mitigate or reduce the disaster event activities. It is done through the considerations of various theories, research, and methodologies that help in understanding the impact of the vulnerability in a particular area.

Site-Specific-

Every site and locality has it’s own vulnerability and is different from others.

Policy & Programme Method- An Efficient Way of Characterizing Disaster Vulnerability

Policy and programme help in addressing the challenges related to adaptation capacity, rehabilitation & long-term reintegration of the affected community. It is a spatial method which demarcates prone zone, put in pre and post hazard methodology to tackle against the vulnerability to disaster.

Preparedness

Preparedness is a continuous cycle of organizing, training, equipping, exercising, evaluation, and improvement activities that ensure effective coordination and the enhancement of capabilities to prevent, protect against and mitigate against the disaster events. It helps to categorise the vulnerability to disaster.

Physical Vulnerability-

It is determined by various aspects such as population density levels, the remoteness of a settlement, the site, design and materials used for critical infrastructure and for housing. The physical vulnerability also depends upon the geographic proximity to the source and origin of disasters.

Social vulnerability-

It refers to the inability of people, organization and societies to withstand adverse impacts on hazards. It occurs due to characteristics of social interactions, institutions and systems of cultural values. It is linked to the level of well-being of individuals, communities and society.

Economic Vulnerability-

Economic vulnerability of a community can be assessed by determining how varied its sources of income are, the ease of access and control over means of production (e.g. farmland, livestock, irrigation, capital etc.). It means the level of a vulnerability is dependent upon the economic status of individuals and communities.

What is vulnerability in a community?

Vulnerability is the extent to which a community, structure, services or geographic area is likely to be damaged or disrupted by the impact of particular hazard.

Why are there vulnerabilities?

There can be many reasons of vulnerabilities. Such reasons or factors may be politico-institutional, Economic, or Socio-cultural.

What are tangible vulnerabilities?

Tangible vulnerability is material. It’s easy to see and value of loss can be easily determined. The main characteristics of tangible vulnerability as follows: People – lives, health, security, living conditions. Property – services, physical property loss, loss of use. Economy – loss of products and production, income.

What is the belief that all natural disasters are acts of god and inevitable?

Superstition – belief that all natural disasters are acts of god and inevitable. Unsustainable farm practices which may result in erosion etc. Population pressure. The above political, economic and cultural factors are interconnected with each other in a complex way.

What is vulnerability in science?

The ordinary use of the word ‘vulnerability’ refers to the capacity to be wounded, i.e., the degree to which a system is likely to experience harm due to exposure to a hazard. The scientific use of ‘vulnerability’ has its roots in geography and natural hazards research but this term is now a central concept in a variety ...

What are the components of vulnerability?

The three components of vulnerability, according to the IPCC definition are: 1 exposure, 2 sensitivity, 3 adaptive capacity.

Why is a reef vulnerable?

High vulnerability may occur because exposure is high, sensitivity is high (low resistance), and/or adaptive capacity is low e.g. an impacted reef fails to recover to a desirable state.

What are the three academic disciplines that are rooted in risk and hazard?

In order to make sense of the range of definitions, the different interpretations and definitions can be seen to be rooted in three academic disciplines namely risk and hazard or biophysical approaches, political economy and the concept of ecological resilience.

What is a vulnerability assessment?

A set of prevailing conditions which adversely affect the community’s ability to prevent, mitigate, prepare for or respond to a hazard. Absence of coping strategies is also a part of vulnerability and has to be considered in vulnerability assessment e.g. living in hazard prone locations like near to a sea or river, above the fault lines, at the base of a mountain etc.

What is physical vulnerability?

Physical vulnerability includes the difficulty in access to water resources, means of communications, hospitals, police stations, fire brigades, roads, bridges and exits of a building or/an area, in case of disasters.

What makes an area more vulnerable to disasters?

The physical vulnerability of an area also depends on its geographic proximity to the source and origin of the disasters e.g. if an area lies near the coast lines, fault lines, unstable hills etc. it makes the area more vulnerable to disasters as compared to an area that is far away from the origin of the disaster.

How to assess economic vulnerability?

Economic vulnerability of a community can be assessed by determining how varied its sources of income are, the ease of access and control over means of production (e.g. farmland, livestock, irrigation, capital etc.), adequacy of economic fall back mechanisms and the availability of natural resources in the area.

What is the greatest vulnerability to natural phenomena?

Social vulnerability to natural phenomena is greatest among the poorest people in developing countries owing to a lack of information and resources with which to take the appropriate measures. Within this group, children, women and the elderly are considered to be the most vulnerable. To reduce social vulnerability, all of the above factors must be addressed but this requires knowledge and understanding of the local conditions, which can – in most cases – only be provided by local actors.

What are the factors that determine the vulnerability of a community?

Other social factors such as culture, tradition, religion, local norms and values, economic standard, and political accountability also play a vital role determining the social vulnerability of a community.

What are the factors that contribute to social vulnerability?

Other social factors such as culture, tradition, religion, local norms and values, economic standard, and political accountability also play a vital role determining the social vulnerability of a community

Why is it important to identify areas of vulnerability?

Determining areas of vulnerability is critical to any emergency and disaster preparedness plan. While avoiding hazards entirely may be impossible, a proactive approach to disaster management will help reduce the degree of impact and mitigate further damage.

When Should an Organization Perform a Hazard Vulnerability Analysis?

For a disaster management plan to be effective, an HVA must be conducted before disaster strikes. If your community has already faced disaster or hazards, it’s never too late to safeguard your organization. The impacts that may have already been experienced can help further inform areas of vulnerability and resource allocation.

What are some examples of disaster and emergency hazards?

The following examples were extracted from Ready.gov, a federal website for disaster preparedness information. While many of the hazards may seem unlikely, it’s important to take an all-hazards approach when developing a disaster management plan:

What Is the Role of Volunteers In the Hazard Risk Assessment Process?

An HVA should inform communities on preparedness and prioritize its resources . Therefore, the HVA or THIRA processes should initiate community-wide involvement. Community members and stakeholders have a range of expertise and resources, and can be called upon to contribute input and perspectives. Community entities may include:

What is hazard analysis?

Further, the hazard analysis seeks to identify risks that challenge an organization’s capabilities. These capability gaps can hinder a community’s ability to prevent, protect against, mitigate, respond to, and recover from a threat or hazard. The following hazard vulnerability analysis template is a federally-recognized process.

How can we reduce the impact of disasters?

The key to reducing the impact of emergencies and disasters is taking the necessary steps to ensure preparedness. If you are a community organization active in disaster response–and you rely on volunteers–it’s imperative to have a comprehensive volunteer mobilization plan in the event of a disaster. A disaster management software like ReDI can help you prepare your volunteer base for disaster, respond to emergencies promptly, and communicate with community partners in the most vital of moments.

Why Should Organizations Conduct a Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment?

Determining areas of vulnerability is critical to any emergency and disaster preparedness plan. While avoiding hazards entirely may be impossible, a proactive approach to disaster management will help reduce the degree of impact and mitigate further damage. Responsible organizations should develop a thorough understanding of potential risks and resources required prior to a disaster, resulting in an effective, efficient response.

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The True Nature of Vulnerability

  • Vulnerability describes the characteristics and circumstances of a community, system or asset that make it susceptible to the damaging effects of a hazard. Here, susceptibility is the fact of being exposed. One can be susceptible but not vulnerable, e.g. a landslide is threatening a house but the owners have built a wall to protect it. The holistic...
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Characterization of Disaster Vulnerability

  • Scientific Method
    This method is used to determine the various indicators to mitigate or reduce the disaster event activities. It is done through the considerations of various theories, research, and methodologies that help in understanding the impact of the vulnerability in a particular area. Geographical Infor…
  • Site-Specific
    Every site and locality has it’s own vulnerability and is different from others.
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Different Types of Vulnerability in Disaster Management

  • Here are the various possible types of Vulnerability and scrolling along will give you the complete picture of corresponding measures to cope up with.
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Beyond Disaster Vulnerability Under Awareness Reads

1.Vulnerability | Understanding Disaster Risk - PreventionWeb

Url:https://www.preventionweb.net/understanding-disaster-risk/component-risk/vulnerability

13 hours ago Vulnerability. The characteristics determined by physical, social, economic and environmental factors or processes which increase the susceptibility of an individual, a community, assets or …

2.Disaster Vulnerability- Types, Characterization & Way …

Url:https://career101.in/disaster-vulnerability-types-of-vulnerability-in-disaster-management/4759/

32 hours ago Vulnerability is a measure of the propensity of an object, area, individual, group, community, country or other entity to incur the consequences of a hazard. To understand vulnerability, the …

3.What is meant by vulnerability to disaster? - Quora

Url:https://www.quora.com/What-is-meant-by-vulnerability-to-disaster

7 hours ago  · Vulnerability and Risk in Disaster Management Published: February 7, 2016 Vulnerability is the extent to which a community, structure, services or geographic area is …

4.Vulnerability and Risk in Disaster Management - GKToday

Url:https://www.gktoday.in/topic/vulnerability-and-risk-in-disaster-management/

29 hours ago A state of extreme (usually irremediable) ruin and misfortune is a disaster. It is also an event resulting in great loss and misfortune. It is an act that has disastrous consequences. But …

5.Vulnerability | UNDRR - United Nations Office for Disaster …

Url:https://www.undrr.org/terminology/vulnerability

24 hours ago Vulnerability The conditions determined by physical, social, economic and environmental factors or processes which increase the susceptibility of an individual, a community, assets or …

6.Vulnerability definitions | weADAPT

Url:https://www.weadapt.org/knowledge-base/vulnerability/vulnerability-definitions

6 hours ago  · Vulnerability is the inability to resist a hazard or to respond when a disaster has occurred. For instance, people who live on plains are more vulnerable to floods than people …

7.Types of Vulnerabilities - Physical, Social, Economic, …

Url:http://www.mnestudies.com/disaster-management/vulnerability-types

14 hours ago  · The ordinary use of the word ‘vulnerability’ refers to the capacity to be wounded, i.e., the degree to which a system is likely to experience harm due to exposure to a hazard.

8.The Disaster Manager’s Guide to Hazard Vulnerability …

Url:https://www.galaxydigital.com/blog/hazard-vulnerability-analysis

36 hours ago Types of Vulnerabilities in Disaster Management. A set of prevailing conditions which adversely affect the community’s ability to prevent, mitigate, prepare for or respond to a hazard. …

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