List of tables and figures -- List of colour figures -- List of acronyms -- Foreword / preface / Acknowledgements -- Introduction / Basic principles and theoretical basis -- Measuring vulnerability to promote disaster-resilient societies : conceptual frameworks and definitions / Indicators and criteria for measuring vulnerability : theoretical bases and requirements / Social levels and hazard (in)dependence in determining vulnerability / User needs : why we need indicators / Vulnerability and environment -- Environmental components of vulnerability / Human vulnerability to environmental change : an approach for UNEP's global environmental outlook (GEO) / Global, national and sub-national index approaches -- Review of global risk index projects : Conclusions for sub-national and local approaches

The disaster risk index : overview of a quantitative approach / Disaster risk hotspots : a project summary / A system of indicators for disaster risk management in the Americas / Multi-risk assessment of Europe's regions / Disaster vulnerability assessment : the Tanzania experience / A human security index / Local vulnerability assessment -- Community-based disaster risk index : pilot implementation in Indonesia / Measuring vulnerability : the ADRC perspective for the theoretical basis and principles of indicator development / Vulnerability assessment : the sectoral approach / Self-assessment of coping capacity : participatory, proactive, and qualitative engagement of communities in their own risk management / Measuring vulnerability in Sri Lanka at the local level

Institutional vulnerability, coping and lessons learned -- Assessing institutionalised capacities and practices to reduce the risks of flood disaster / Public sector financial vulnerability to disasters: the IIASA CATSIM model / Text box : Effective measurement of vulnerability is essential to help those most in harm's way / Overcoming the black hole : outline for a quantitative model to compare coping capacities across countries / A methodology for learning lessons : experiences at the European level / Conclusion and recommendation / Core terminology of disaster reduction: a comparative glossary / List of contributors -- Index.