Vulnerability arising from physical characteristicsUnder international humanitarian law, some groups of people are entitled to special protection. What we must therefore ask is: who is vulnerable to what particular risk?ġ. Vulnerability is not an easy category to define. Throughout the world, women affected by conflict can be extremely determined and brave and they often find ingenious ways of coping with the difficulties they face when fulfilling the role of head of household, caring for and earning income for their families or taking part in community life. On the contrary, they show remarkable strength, as can be seen from their roles as combatants or peace activists and the duties and responsibilities they take on in wartime to protect and support their families. In fact, women are not vulnerable as such. The vulnerability of various groups – men, women, children and elderly people – will vary according to the nature of the problem and its consequences, the extent to which these groups are exposed to it, its impact on these groups and their ability to overcome it. In order to assess vulnerability, it must consider how exposed people are to a specific risk, problem or abrupt change in situation, then take into account their coping mechanisms and resilience. The ICRC identifies vulnerable people so that, after assessing a given situation and the problems involved, it can focus on giving help to those who need it most. ![]() Determining who is at risk comes down to determining who is most susceptible to a particular danger so as to be able to anticipate and take preventive action. When assessing risks, the ICRC takes into account the nature of the event that constitutes a risk, the probability of its occurrence and the seriousness of its potential consequences.
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