Different types of vulnerability with reference to disasters

1. Physical Vulnerability may be determined by aspects, such as population density levels, remoteness of a settlement, the site, design and materials used for critical infrastructure and for housing (UNISDR). 

Example: Wooden homes are less likely to collapse in an earthquake, but are more vulnerable to fire.

2. Social Vulnerability: Refers to the inability of people, organizations and societies to withstand adverse impacts to hazards due to characteristics inherent in social interactions, institutions and systems of cultural values. It is linked to the level of well-being of individuals, communities and society. It includes aspects related to levels of literacy and education, the existence of peace and security, access to basic human rights, systems of good governance, social equity, positive traditional values, customs and ideological beliefs and overall collective organizational systems (UNISDR). In a disaster, women in general may be affected differently from men because of their social status, family responsibilities or reproductive role, but they are not necessarily vulnerable. 

Example: When flooding occurs, some citizens, such as children, elderly and differently-able, may be unable to protect themselves or evacuate, if necessary. 

3. Economic Vulnerability: The level of vulnerability is highly dependent upon the economic status of individuals, communities and nations. The poor are usually more vulnerable to disasters because they lack the resources to build sturdy structures and put other engineering measures in place to protect themselves from being negatively impacted by disasters. 

Example: Poorer families may live in squatter settlements because they cannot afford to live in safer (more expensive) areas. 

4. Environmental Vulnerability: Natural resource depletion and resource degradation are key aspects of environmental vulnerability. 

Example: Wetlands, such as the Caroni Swamp, are sensitive to increasing salinity from sea water, and pollution from stormwater, runoff containing agricultural chemicals, eroded soils, etc. 

5. Attitudinal vulnerability: A community which has negative attitude towards change and lacks initiative in life resultantly becomes more and more dependent on external support. They cannot act independently. They become victims of conflict, hopelessness and pessimism which reduces their capacity of coping with a disaster. 

Disaster management is a multi-disciplinary area which includes forecasting, warning, search and rescue, relief, reconstruction and rehabilitation. It is also a multisectoral task as it involves administrators, scientists, planners, volunteers and communities. Critical need is the coordination of all the activities between them. 

For developing countries like India, disaster management is a major concern as it directly influences the economy, agriculture, food and sanitation, water, environment and health. A holistic approach towards disaster management should, thus, give proper consideration to the various forms of vulnerablities.