SAPIENSReturn to the atlasHumanitarian glossary
The language of
humanitarian response.
Clear definitions for the words used throughout this atlas. Written to orient, never to overwhelm.
Understand the words
Plain language.
Careful meaning.
These explanations are simplified for clarity and linked to authoritative humanitarian sources for deeper reading. Disease entries also name the main symptoms, while recognizing that diagnosis belongs with a health professional.
79 terms
- Acute hungerFood & health
A dangerous lack of food that has recently become severe enough to threaten health, livelihoods or survival.
Definition informed by IPC- Acute malnutrition (wasting)Food & health
A rapid and dangerous loss of body weight caused by too little nutritious food, illness, or both. Signs can include being very thin for one’s height, weakness, poor appetite and, in some severe cases, swelling of both feet.
Definition informed by WHO- Anticipatory actionClimate & disasters
Support released before a forecast hazard reaches its worst point, so people can protect lives, food, homes and livelihoods in advance.
Definition informed by WFP- Armed confinementConflict & safety
When violence, threats or armed control prevent a community from moving freely or reaching essential services.
Definition informed by OCHA- Armed conflictConflict & safety
Organized fighting between countries, or between a government and organized armed groups.
Definition informed by ICRC- Armed violenceConflict & safety
The use or threat of weapons that causes injury, fear, displacement or disruption.
Definition informed by ICRC- Asylum seekerDisplacement & protection
Someone asking another country for protection while their request is still being considered.
Definition informed by UNHCR- Attacks on civiliansConflict & safety
Violence directed at people who are not taking part in fighting, or harm caused to them during attacks.
Definition informed by ICRC- Cash assistanceAid & recovery
Money given directly to people so they can choose and pay for the essentials they need most.
Definition informed by UNHCR- Child healthFood & health
The physical and mental health of children, including nutrition, vaccination, safe birth, disease treatment and healthy development.
Definition informed by UNICEF- Child malnutritionFood & health
When a child does not receive or absorb enough energy and nutrients to grow and stay healthy. Signs can include low weight, visible wasting, slow growth, tiredness or swelling; severe forms can quickly become life-threatening.
Definition informed by UNICEF · WHO- Child recruitmentConflict & safety
When an armed force or armed group uses a child in any role, including fighting, carrying supplies, spying, cooking or other support.
Definition informed by UNICEF- CholeraFood & health
A bacterial infection usually caught from contaminated food or water. Many people have mild or no symptoms, but it can cause sudden watery diarrhoea, vomiting, leg cramps and dangerous dehydration that needs rapid treatment.
Definition informed by WHO- Cholera outbreakFood & health
A rapid rise in cholera, a serious diarrhoeal disease commonly spread through contaminated food or water.
Definition informed by WHO- Chronic malnutritionFood & health
Poor nutrition over a long period that restricts a child’s growth and development. The clearest sign is being shorter than expected for age; effects may also include delayed development and greater vulnerability to illness.
Definition informed by WHO- Civilian protectionConflict & safety
The work and legal duties intended to keep people who are not fighting safe from violence, abuse and deprivation.
Definition informed by ICRC- Climate shocksClimate & disasters
Sudden or severe climate-related events, such as droughts, floods or extreme heat, that disrupt people’s lives.
Definition informed by UNDRR- Community rebuildingAid & recovery
Restoring homes and services while helping local relationships, culture and decision-making recover too.
Definition informed by UNDRR- ConflictConflict & safety
A serious struggle that may involve violence, insecurity and harm to civilian life.
Definition informed by ICRC- Contact tracingFood & health
Finding and following people who may have been exposed to an infectious disease so they can receive information, testing or care quickly.
Definition informed by WHO- Disaster resilienceClimate & disasters
A community’s ability to prepare for hazards, withstand their effects and recover while protecting essential life and services.
Definition informed by UNDRR- DisplacementDisplacement & protection
Being forced to leave home because staying has become unsafe or impossible.
Definition informed by UNHCR- Disrupted essential servicesAid & recovery
When a crisis interrupts the basic systems people depend on, such as health care, clean water, schools, electricity, communications or transport.
Definition informed by OCHA- Disrupted servicesAid & recovery
When essential systems such as hospitals, schools, water or transport no longer work normally.
Definition informed by OCHA- Drought and floodingClimate & disasters
Alternating or overlapping dry periods and floods that leave families with little time to recover between climate shocks.
Definition informed by UNDRR- Earthquake recoveryClimate & disasters
The long process of restoring homes, services, livelihoods and community life after an earthquake.
Definition informed by UNDRR- Earthquake responseClimate & disasters
Urgent work during and immediately after an earthquake to save lives, treat injuries, check damaged structures, restore essential services and meet people’s basic needs.
Definition informed by UNDRR- Ebola and essential careFood & health
An Ebola outbreak alongside disruption to routine care such as vaccinations, safe delivery and treatment for other illnesses.
Definition informed by WHO- Ebola diseaseFood & health
A rare but severe viral illness that can spread through direct contact with infected body fluids. Symptoms often begin suddenly with fever, extreme tiredness, muscle pain, headache and sore throat, followed by vomiting, diarrhoea, stomach pain and sometimes bleeding.
Definition informed by WHO- Ebola emergencyFood & health
An Ebola outbreak requiring urgent detection, safe care, community trust, contact tracing and measures that prevent further transmission.
Definition informed by WHO- Economic hardshipAid & recovery
Serious financial strain that makes food, housing, transport, health care and other basics harder to afford.
Definition informed by OCHA- El NiñoClimate & disasters
A recurring warming of the tropical Pacific Ocean that can shift rainfall, heat and storm patterns across many parts of the world.
Definition informed by WMO- Emergency shelterAid & recovery
A temporary, safe place for people whose homes are damaged or unsafe, offering protection from weather along with privacy and dignity while longer-term options are arranged.
Definition informed by UNHCR- Erratic rainfallClimate & disasters
Rain that arrives at unusual times or in unreliable amounts, making farming and water planning harder.
Definition informed by UNDRR- FamineFood & health
The most extreme food crisis, when widespread starvation, acute malnutrition and deaths are happening together.
Definition informed by IPC- Famine riskFood & health
A warning that famine could occur if conditions worsen or life-saving assistance does not reach people in time. It does not mean famine has already been declared.
Definition informed by IPC- Flash floodsClimate & disasters
Floods that rise very quickly, often after intense rain. They can sweep through valleys and settlements with little warning, carrying water, mud and debris.
Definition informed by UNDRR- FloodingClimate & disasters
Water covering normally dry land, potentially damaging homes, crops, roads and essential services.
Definition informed by UNDRR- Food assistance cutsAid & recovery
Reductions or interruptions to food, cash or nutrition support because supplies, access or funding are insufficient.
Definition informed by WFP- Food insecurityFood & health
Not having reliable access to enough safe and nutritious food for a healthy life.
Definition informed by WFP- Funding pressureAid & recovery
When humanitarian organizations have less money than required to meet identified needs.
Definition informed by OCHA- Health accessFood & health
A person’s practical ability to reach and afford timely, safe and appropriate medical care.
Definition informed by WHO- Health servicesFood & health
Care provided to prevent illness, treat injury and disease, support pregnancy and childbirth, and protect public health.
Definition informed by WHO- Host communityDisplacement & protection
A community sharing its area, services and resources with displaced people or refugees.
Definition informed by UNHCR- Housing and livelihoodsAid & recovery
The homes people live in and the work or resources they depend on to support daily life.
Definition informed by UNDRR- Humanitarian accessAid & recovery
The ability of impartial aid workers to safely reach people in need—and for people to reach assistance.
Definition informed by ICRC- HungerFood & health
The physical pain or discomfort caused by not having enough food.
Definition informed by WFP- Hunger and displacementFood & health
A cycle in which people lose access to food when they flee, while hunger can also force further movement.
Definition informed by WFP- Indian Ocean DipoleClimate & disasters
A change in the temperature difference between the western and eastern Indian Ocean that can strongly influence rainfall in East Africa, Australia and nearby regions.
Definition informed by WMO- Infection prevention and controlFood & health
Practical measures that stop infections spreading in health facilities and communities, including protective equipment, safe cleaning, waste handling and patient care.
Definition informed by WHO- Infrastructure damageAid & recovery
Harm to the buildings and systems people depend on, including roads, power, water, schools and hospitals.
Definition informed by OCHA- Internally displaced person (IDP)Displacement & protection
Someone forced to leave home who remains inside their own country.
Definition informed by UNHCR- Interrupted health careFood & health
When conflict, disaster or shortages stop people from receiving normal medical services.
Definition informed by WHO- Kidney diseaseFood & health
Damage that stops the kidneys from filtering blood as well as they should. It often causes no symptoms at first; as it worsens, people may experience swelling, tiredness, nausea, reduced appetite or changes in urination.
Definition informed by CDC- LandslidesClimate & disasters
Rock, earth or debris moving down a slope. Heavy rain, earthquakes and changes to the land can trigger them, damaging homes and cutting off roads or services.
Definition informed by UNDRR- Limited health careFood & health
When care exists but is too distant, costly, understaffed or undersupplied for everyone who needs it.
Definition informed by WHO- MalariaFood & health
A parasitic disease usually spread by infected mosquitoes. Common symptoms are fever, chills and headache; severe malaria can cause extreme tiredness, confusion, seizures, difficulty breathing, dark urine or yellowing of the skin and eyes.
Definition informed by WHO- MalnutritionFood & health
A condition caused by too little, too much or an unhealthy balance of energy and nutrients. Signs depend on the form and may include weight loss, poor growth, weakness, swelling, vitamin deficiencies or excess body weight.
Definition informed by WHO- Mass displacementDisplacement & protection
When very large numbers of people are forced from their homes within a short period or across a wide area.
Definition informed by UNHCR- Monsoon hazardsClimate & disasters
Dangers linked to intense seasonal rains, including floods, landslides, unsafe water and damaged shelters.
Definition informed by UNDRR- Monsoon landslidesClimate & disasters
Earth and debris moving down slopes after intense seasonal rain, sometimes burying homes, roads or shelters with little warning.
Definition informed by UNDRR- Pipeline breakAid & recovery
The point when an aid programme runs out of food, medicine or another essential supply before the next shipment can arrive.
Definition informed by WFP- Pre-positioningAid & recovery
Moving supplies close to at-risk communities before roads close, storms arrive or an emergency makes transport slower and more expensive.
Definition informed by OCHA- Protection needsDisplacement & protection
Risks to a person’s safety, rights or dignity that require prevention or support.
Definition informed by UNHCR- Protracted conflictConflict & safety
Fighting that continues for years, repeatedly disrupting safety, services and everyday life.
Definition informed by ICRC- Protracted displacementDisplacement & protection
Displacement that lasts for years, often without a safe and lasting way to return or settle elsewhere.
Definition informed by UNHCR- RefugeeDisplacement & protection
A person outside their country who needs protection because returning would put them in serious danger.
Definition informed by UNHCR- Remote health accessFood & health
The challenge of reaching health services from isolated places with long distances or difficult transport.
Definition informed by WHO- Restricted aid accessAid & recovery
When insecurity, damaged routes, rules or obstruction make it difficult for assistance to reach people.
Definition informed by ICRC- Rural livelihoodsAid & recovery
The ways people in rural areas support themselves, often through farming, livestock, fishing or local trade.
Definition informed by WFP- Safe shelterAid & recovery
A place to live that protects people from weather, violence, hazards and exploitation while preserving privacy and dignity.
Definition informed by UNHCR- Search and rescueAid & recovery
The work of locating, reaching and safely freeing people who are trapped or missing after a collapse or disaster, often using trained teams, medical support, search dogs and specialized equipment.
Definition informed by INSARAG · OCHA- Service accessAid & recovery
A person’s practical ability to reach and use essentials such as health care, water, education or protection.
Definition informed by OCHA- Severe droughtClimate & disasters
An extended and serious shortage of rainfall that damages water supplies, crops, livestock, income and health.
Definition informed by UNDRR- Severe hungerFood & health
A dangerous lack of food that can quickly threaten health, livelihoods and survival.
Definition informed by WFP- Stateless personDisplacement & protection
Someone who is not legally recognized as a citizen by any country.
Definition informed by UNHCR- Strained health servicesFood & health
Health facilities that remain open but are overwhelmed by too many patients, too few staff, damaged buildings or shortages of medicine and equipment.
Definition informed by WHO- WASHFood & health
Water, sanitation and hygiene: safe drinking water, toilets and everyday practices such as handwashing.
Definition informed by UNICEF- Water insecurityFood & health
Unreliable or unsafe access to enough water for drinking, cooking, hygiene and everyday life.
Definition informed by UNICEF