disasterrisk

Disaster risk refers to the potential for harmful consequences that arise when a hazard interacts with exposed and vulnerable elements in a system, community, or ecosystem, and when capacity to cope is limited. In risk science, disaster risk is frequently described as a function of hazard, exposure, and vulnerability, with capacity and resilience shaping the outcome by reducing or delaying impacts.

Hazard denotes the potential physical event or process that can cause harm, such as a flood, earthquake, cyclone, industrial accident, or cyberattack. Exposure includes people, infrastructure, livelihoods, buildings, and services located in harm’s way. Vulnerability reflects susceptibility to damage, injury, or loss due to physical, social, economic, and environmental factors. Capacity and resilience are the resources, networks, and capacities that enable preparation, response, and recovery.

Disasters occur when hazards meet exposed and vulnerable elements in a system. The same hazard can produce different levels of risk depending on exposure and vulnerability. Common hazard types include natural hazards (geophysical, hydrometeorological), technological hazards (industrial, energy), and complex emergencies driven by conflict or governance failures.

Determinants of disaster risk include climate change, land-use change, urbanization, poverty, governance quality, and the resilience of infrastructure and institutions. Reducing risk involves reducing exposure and vulnerability, increasing capacity, and improving early warning, land-use planning, building codes, and social protection.

Disaster risk reduction (DRR) is guided by international frameworks such as the Sendai Framework, emphasizing understanding and mapping risk, strengthening governance, investing in DRR, and enhancing preparedness, response, and recovery. Risk information supports planning, insurance, and humanitarian response, though data gaps and uncertainties can limit precision.