A measure of uncertainty: The nature of vulnerability and its relationshipto malnutrition

Terms such as 'vulnerability' and 'insecurity' are used widely in the gener al nutrition literature as well as in work on humanitarian response. Yet th ese words are used rather loosely. This paper argues that more clarity in t heir usage would benefit those seeking a bridge between development and hum anitarian problems. Since vulnerability is not fully coincident with malnut rition, poverty or other conventional indices of human deprivation, public action must be based on a better understanding of the nature of crises and human uncertainty beyond physiological and nutritional outcomes. More atten tion is needed to be paid to the context-specific nature of risks, the capa city of households to manage such risks and the potential for public action to bolster indigenous capacity through targeted development investments, n ot just relief.