The document defines key terminology used in vulnerability and capacity assessment (VCA), including hazard, disaster, risk, vulnerability, and capacity. It explains that a disaster occurs when a hazard threatens lives and property and disrupts society. Risk is the expected losses from a hazard, vulnerability is the likelihood of being damaged by a hazard, and capacity refers to resources and skills that reduce disaster impacts. The document presents an equation that disaster risk is a function of hazard, vulnerability, and capacity.