Note: In this first draft a list of core terms from the cause-and-effect chain of disasters has been selected and their definitions put up for discussion among peers. There are already a number of listings of terms published (e.g. ISDR, UNDP, UNEP, IPCC, DKKV, BBK ...). However, they generally lack the juxtaposition of the definitions of various disciplines because they want spell out the definitions they are using and this way they probably attempt to put an end to a situation often perceived as a "Babylonian confusion". This comparative glossary in contrast aims at informing experts of different disciplines about the various, sometimes contradicting definitions currently used or referred to in the field of disaster mitigation. Even if some terms are defined differently by different disciplines, it is vital to make those differences in terminology known across the disaster reduction community to avoid misunderstandings and to enhance knowledge, mutual understanding and efficiency of disaster reduction. The outcome will be a glossary of terms with definitions as concise as possible and as diverse and elaborate as necessary. It does not claim to be exhaustive; it rather focuses on a selection of terms that are typically used across multiple disciplines and that are central to the cause-and-effect chain of disaster reduction. Terms and definitions are collected from the literature including several reports that already offer glossaries of disaster reduction terms. The various definitions of different disciplines were collected and merged where possible. Disciplines and sectors represented so far are: Insurance Industry, UN System, Science (multidisciplinary), Economics, Social Sciences, Psychology, Geoscience, Engineering, Policy Making, Civil Society, Disaster Relief, This collection of terms is the basis for peer review through an international, multidisciplinary, group of experts to add to or make recommendations and suggestions for those definitions listed. Comments on the collected terms and definitions will be solicited during the "International Workshop on Water and Disasters", December 2004 in Canada. Further, the draft version of this glossary will be made available at the WCDR in Kobe, January 2005, to further solicit contributions and comments from scientists, risk practitioners, UN agencies and policy-makers. Continued peer review and revisions will follow until the end of 2005