While there are some generally accepted terms, much of the terminology used in disaster risk management is the subject of some debate.
Key terms lack universally agreed definitions
Different groups use different terms to refer to essentially the same thing
In other cases, different definitions are used for the same word
Translation problems occur when there are no direct equivalents between languages
The resources that can be accessed through this portal will not always use terminology consistently. Users are encouraged to pay close attention to terminology and to seek clarification if the intended meaning is not clear.
The publication titled Terminology: Basic Terms of Disaster Reduction presented by the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR) Secretariat may help to reduce confusion when trying to understand or compare material.
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