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UN-ISDR: Terminology on disaster risk reduction (working document)
Updated 03.12.03

INTRODUCTION: Basic terms of disaster risk reduction
The ISDR Secretariat presents primary terms related to disaster risk reduction to practitioners and experts for their considerationand further refinement. The terms are based on a broad review of different international sources, with the purpose of developing acommon understanding of terminology on disaster reduction, which is useful for the public, authorities and practitioners. This is acontinuing effort to be reflected in future reviews, responding to a need expressed in several international venues, regional
discussions and national commentary.

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A
Acceptable risk
The level of loss a society or community considers acceptable given existing social, economic, political, cultural, technical and environmental
conditions.
In engineering terms, acceptable risk is also used to describe structural and non-structural measures undertaken to reduce possible damage
at a level, which does not harm people and property, according to codes or "accepted practice" based, among other issues, on a known
probability of hazard.
B
Biological hazard
Processes of organic origin or those conveyed by biological vectors, including exposure to pathogenic micro-organisms, toxins and bioactive
substances, which may cause the loss of life or injury, property damage, social and economic disruption or environmental degradation.
Examples of biological hazards: outbreaks of epidemic diseases, plant or animal contagion, insect plagues and extensive infestations.
Building codes
Ordinances and regulations controlling the design, construction, materials, alteration and occupancy of any structure to insure human safety
and welfare. Building codes include both technical and functional standards.
C
Capacity
A combination of all the strengths and resources available within a community, society or organization that can reduce the level of risk, or theeffects of a disaster.
Capacity may include physical, institutional, social or economic means as well as skilled personal or collective attributes such as leadershipand management. Capacity may also be described as capability.
Capacity building
Efforts aimed to develop human skills or societal infrastructures within a community or organization needed to reduce the level of risk.
In extended understanding, capacity building also includes development of institutional, financial, political and other resources, such astechnology at different levels and sectors of the society.

Climate change
Refers to a statistically significant variation in either the mean state of the climate or in its variability, persisting for an extended period (typicallydecades or longer).
Climate change may be due to natural internal processes or external forcing, or to persistent anthropogenic changes in the composition of theatmosphere or in land use (IPCC, 2001).
Note that the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change indicated in 1999: "climate change" means a change of climate which
is attributed directly or indirectly to human activity that alters the composition of the global atmosphere and which is in addition to natural
climate variability observed over comparable time periods.

Coping capacity
The means by which people or organizations use available resources and abilities to face adverse consequences that could lead to a disaster.
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In general, this involves managing resources, both in normal times as well as during crises or adverse conditions. The strengthening of coping
capacities usually builds resilience to withstand the effects of natural and human-induced hazards.
Counter measures
All measures taken to counter and reduce disaster risk. They most commonly refer to engineering (structural) measures but can also include
non-structural measures and tools designed and employed to avoid or limit the adverse impact of natural hazards and related environmental
and technological disasters.
D
DisasterA serious disruption of the functioning of a community or a society causing widespread human, material, economic or environmental losses
which exceed the ability of the affected community or society to cope using its own resources.
A disaster is a function of the risk process. It results from the combination of hazards, conditions of vulnerability and insufficient capacity or
measures to reduce the potential negative consequences of risk.
Disaster risk management
The systematic management of administrative decisions, organization, operational skills and capacities to implement policies, strategies andcoping capacities of the society and communities to lessen the impacts of natural hazards and related environmental and technologicaldisasters. This comprises all forms of activities, including structural and non-structural measures to avoid (prevention) or to limit (mitigation andpreparedness) adverse effects of hazards.
Disaster risk reduction (disaster reduction)
The conceptual framework of elements considered with the possibilities to minimize vulnerabilities and disaster risks throughout a society, toavoid (prevention) or to limit (mitigation and preparedness) the adverse impacts of hazards, within the broad context of sustainable
development.
The disaster risk reduction framework is composed of the following fields of action, as described in ISDR's publication 2002 "Living with Risk: aglobal review of disaster reduction initiatives", page 23:- Risk awareness and assessment including hazard analysis and vulnerability/capacity analysis;- Knowledge development including education, training, research and information;- Public commitment and institutional frameworks, including organisational, policy, legislation and community action;- Application of measures including environmental management, land-use and urban planning, protection of critical facilities, application ofscience and technology, partnership and networking, and financial instruments;- Early warning systems including forecasting, dissemination of warnings, preparedness measures and reaction capacities.
E
Early warning
The provision of timely and effective information, through identified institutions, that allow individuals exposed to a hazard, to take action to
avoid or reduce their risk and prepare for effective response.
Early warning systems include of three primary elements (i) forecasting of impending events, (ii) processing and dissemination of warnings topolitical authorities and population, and (iii) undertaking appropriate and timely actions.
Ecosystem
A complex set of relationships of living organisms functioning as a unit and interacting with their physical environment.
The boundaries of what could be called an ecosystem are somewhat arbitrary, depending on the focus of interest or study. Thus the extent ofan ecosystem may range from very small spatial scales to, ultimately, the entire Earth (IPCC, 2001).
El Nino-southern oscillation (ENSO) (in revision)
An irregularly occurring pattern of abnormal warming of the surface coastal waters off Ecuador, Peru and Chile This coupled atmosphereocean phenomenon is associated with the fluctuation of inter-tropical surface pressure pattern and circulation in the Indian and Pacific oceans,called the Southern Oscillation.
There have been a number of attempts to define El Nino, both quantitatively and qualitatively, but none has achieved universal recognition.
This phenomenon triggers a shift in seasonal patterns of weather systems over many subtropical and mid-latitude parts of the globe.
La Nina (in revision) is the opposite of an El Nino pattern, during which waters in the west Pacific are warmer than normal and trade winds arestronger.
Emergency management
The organization and management of resources and responsibilities for dealing with all aspects of emergencies, in particularly preparedness,
response and rehabilitation.
Emergency management involves plans, structures and arrangements established to engage the normal endeavours of government, voluntaryand private agencies in a comprehensive and coordinated way to respond to the whole spectrum of emergency needs. This is also known as
disaster management.
Environmental impact assessment (EIA)
Study undertaken in order to assess the effect on a specified environment of the introduction of any new factor, which may upset the current
ecological balance.
EIA is a policy making tool that serves to provide evidence and analysis of environmental impacts of activities from conception to decisionmaking. It is utilised extensively in national programming and for international development assistance projects. An EIA must include a detailed
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risk assessment and provide alternatives solutions or options.
Environmental degradation
The reduction of the capacity of the environment to meet social objectives and needs.
Potential effects are varied and may contribute to an increase in vulnerability and the frequency and intensity of natural hazards.
Some examples: land degradation, deforestation, desertification, wildland fires, loss of biodiversity, land, water and air pollution, climatechange, sea level rise and ozone depletion.
F
Forecast
Definite statement or statistical estimate of the occurrence of a future event (UNESCO, WMO).
This term is used with different meanings in different disciplines.
G
Geological hazard
Natural earth processes or phenomena that may cause the loss of life or injury, property damage, social and economic disruption orenvironmental degradation.
Geological hazard includes internal earth processes or tectonic origin, such as earthquakes, geological fault activity, tsunamis, volcanic activity
and emissions as well as external processes such as mass movements: landslides, rockslides, rock falls or avalanches, surfaces collapses,
expansive soils and debris or mud flows.
Geological hazards can be single, sequential or combined in their origin and effects.
Geographic information systems (GIS)
Analysis that combine relational databases with spatial interpretation and outputs often in form of maps. A more elaborate definition is that ofcomputer programmes for capturing, storing, checking, integrating, analysing and displaying data about the earth that is spatially referenced.
Geographical information systems are increasingly being utilised for hazard and vulnerability mapping and analysis, as well as for theapplication of disaster risk management measures.
Greenhouse gas (GHG)
A gas, such as water vapour, carbon dioxide, methane, chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), that absorbs andre-emits infrared radiation, warming the earth's surface and contributing to climate change (UNEP, 1998).
H
HazardA potentially damaging physical event, phenomenon and/or human activity that may cause the loss of life or injury, property damage, socialand economic disruption or environmental degradation.
Hazards can include latent conditions that may represent future threats and can have different origins: natural (geological, hydrometeorologicaland biological) and/or induced by human processes (environmental degradation and technological hazards). Hazards can be single,
sequential or combined in their origin and effects. Each hazard is characterised by its location, intensity, frequency and probability.
Hazard analysis
Identification, studies and monitoring of any hazard to determine its potential, origin, characteristics and behaviour.

Hydrometeorological hazards
Natural processes or phenomena of atmospheric, hydrological or oceanographic nature, which may cause the loss of life or injury, property
damage, social and economic disruption or environmental degradation.
Examples of hydrometeorological hazards are: floods, debris and mud floods; tropical cyclones, storm surges, thunder/hailstorms, rain andwind storms, blizzards and other severe storms; drought, desertification, wildland fires, temperature extremes, sand or dust storms; permafrost
and snow or ice avalanches.
Hydrometeorological hazards can be single, sequential or combined in their origin and effects.
L
La Nina(see El Nino-southern oscillation).
Land-use planning
Branch of physical planning that determines the means and assesses the values or limitations of various options in which land is to be utilized,with the corresponding effects on different segments of the population or interests of a community taken into account in resulting decisions.
Land-use planning involves studies and mapping, analysis of environmental and hazards data, formulation of alternative land-use decisions
and design of a long-range plan for different geographical and administrative scales.

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Land-use planning can help to mitigate disasters and reduce risks by discouraging high-density settlements and construction of key
installations in hazard-prone areas, control of population density and expansion, and in the siting of service routes for transport, power, water,
sewage and other critical facilities..
M
Mitigation
Structural and non-structural measures undertaken to limit the adverse impact of natural hazards, environmental degradation andtechnological hazards.
N
Natural hazards
Natural processes or phenomena occurring in the biosphere that may constitute a damaging event.
Natural hazards can be classified by origin namely: geological, hydrometeorological or biological.
P
Preparedness
Activities and measures taken in advance to ensure effective response to the impact of hazards, including the issuance of timely and effective
early warnings and the temporary removal of people and property from threatened locations.
Prevention
Activities to provide outright avoidance of the adverse impact of hazards and means to minimize related environmental, technological andbiological disasters.
Depending on social and technical feasibility and cost/benefit considerations, investing in preventive measures is justified in areas frequently
affected by disasters. In the context of public awareness and education, related to disaster risk reduction changing attitudes and behaviour
contribute to promoting a "culture of prevention".
Public awarenessThe processes of informing the general population, increasing levels of consciousness about risks and how people can act to reduce their
exposure to hazards. This is particularly important for public officials in fulfilling their responsibilities to save lives and property in the event of adisaster.
Public awareness activities foster changes in behaviour leading towards a culture of risk reduction. This involves public information,dissemination, education, radio or television broadcasts and the use of printed media, as well as, the establishment of information centres andnetworks.
Public information
Information, facts and knowledge provided or learned as a result of research or study, available to be disseminated to the public.
R
Recovery
Decisions and actions taken after a disaster with a view to restoring or improving the pre-disaster the living conditions of the stricken
community, while encouraging and facilitating necessary adjustments to reduce disaster risk.
Recovery (rehabilitation and reconstruction) affords an opportunity to develop and apply disaster risk reduction measures.
Relief / response
The provision of assistance or intervention during or immediately after a disaster to meet the life preservation and basic subsistence needs ofthose people affected. It can be of an immediate, short-term, or protracted duration.
Resilience / resilient
The capacity of a system, community or society potentially exposed to hazards to adapt, by resisting or changing in order to reach andmaintain an acceptable level of functioning and structure. This is determined by the degree to which the social system is capable of organizing
itself to increase its capacity for learning from past disasters for better future protection and to improve risk reduction measures.
Retrofitting (or upgrading)
Reinforcement of structures to become more resistant and resilient to the forces of natural hazards.
Retrofitting involves consideration of changes in the mass, stiffness, damping, load path and ductility of materials, as well as radical changes
such as the introduction of energy absorbing dampers and base isolation systems. Examples of retrofitting includes the consideration of windloading to strengthen and minimize the wind force, or in earthquake prone areas, the strengthening of structures.
Risk
The probability of harmful consequences, or expected losses (deaths, injuries, property, livelihoods, economic activity disrupted orenvironment damaged) resulting from interactions between natural or human-induced hazards and vulnerable conditions. Conventionally risk
is expressed by the relation Risk = Hazards x Vulnerability.
Beyond expressing a possibility of physical harm, it is crucial to recognize that risks are inherent or can be created or exist within social
systems. It is important to consider the social contexts in which risks occur and that people therefore do not necessarily share the same
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perceptions of risk and their underlying causes.
Risk assessment/analysis
A process to determine the nature and extent of risk by analysing potential hazards and evaluating existing conditions of vulnerability that
could pose a potential threat or harm to people, property, livelihoods and the environment on which they depend.
The process of conducting a risk assessment is based on a review of both the technical features of hazards such as their location, intensity,
frequency and probability; and also the analysis of the physical, social, economic and environmental dimensions of vulnerability, while taking
particular account of the coping capabilities pertinent to the risk scenarios.
S
Structural measures
Engineering measures and construction of hazard-resistant and/or protective structures and infrastructure
Sustainable development
Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It contains
within it two key concepts: the concept of "needs", in particular the essential needs of the world's poor, to which overriding priority should begiven; and the idea of limitations imposed by the state of technology and social organization on the environment's ability to meet present andthe future needs. (Brundtland Commission, 1987).
Sustainable development is based on socio-cultural development, political stability and decorum, economic growth and ecosystem protection,
which all relate to disaster risk reduction.
T
Technological hazards
Danger originating from technological or industrial accidents, dangerous procedures, infrastructure failures or certain human activities, which
may cause the loss of life or injury, property damage, social and economic disruption or environmental degradation.
Some examples: industrial pollution, nuclear activities and radioactivity, toxic wastes, dam failures; transport, industrial or technologicalaccidents (explosions, fires, spills).
V
Vulnerability
A set of conditions and processes resulting from physical, social, economic, and environmental factors, which increase the susceptibility of acommunity to the impact of hazards.
Positive factors, which increase the ability of people and the society they live in, to cope effectively with hazards and can reduce theirsusceptibility, are often designated as capacities.
W
Wildland fire
Any fire occurring in vegetation areas regardless of ignition sources, damages or benefits.

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