Vendetta: Practice of a family taking vengeance on the person who shed the blood of one of its relatives. Vengeance is taken in kind, that is, an eye for an eye, and may also be taken on one of the offender's relatives. It is an established institution in many cultures. (Microsoft Corporation 1997-1999: http://encarta.msn.com/)

Violent conflict: The use of armed force by two parties, of which at least one is the government of a state, that results in at least 25 battle-related deaths per year. Armed conflicts are grouped into three categories: minor armed conflicts, in which the battle-related deaths during the course of the conflict are below 1000; intermediate conflicts, in which there are more than 1,000 battle-related deaths recorded during the course of the conflict, and in which between 25 and 1,000 deaths have occurred during a particular year; and wars, in which there are more than 1,000 battle-related deaths during one particular year. The two latter categories are sometimes referred to as major armed conflicts. (Wallensteen & Axel 1994: 333-349)

Vulnerable groups: Any group or sector of society that is at higher risk of being subjected to discriminatory practices, violence, natural or environmental disasters, or economic hardship than other groups within the state; any group or sector of society (such as women, children or the elderly) that is at higher risk in periods of conflict and crisis.

Vulnerability:  The predisposition of groups or individuals to be adversely affected by events or shocks.

Vulnerability analysis: Assessment of the vulnerability of various socioeconomic groups by evaluating the risk of exposure to different types of shocks or disasters and the ability of the population to cope, i.e. to physically survive with its livelihood more or less intact. (World Food Programme: www.wft.it\vam\mapguide.htm)