Vulnerability
Vulnerability is the degree to which individuals, communities, or places are susceptible to the damaging impacts of hazards due to lack of capacity to cope or adapt. It encompasses exposure to hazard, sensitivity to impact, and adaptive capacity.
Real World
When Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans in 2005, the Lower Ninth Ward — a predominantly low-income, African American neighbourhood — suffered disproportionate damage and slower recovery compared to wealthier districts, illustrating how poverty deepens vulnerability.
Exam Focus
Address multiple dimensions of vulnerability (physical, social, economic, political) in extended answers to access higher mark bands.
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