  Social vulnerability is defined as the capacity of individuals and social
groups to respond to any external stress placed on their livelihoods and
wellbeing. Mobility and migrations are relevant when assessing vulnerability
since the movements of a population reflect on their livelihoods, coping
strategies and social safety nets. Although in general migration
characterization is complex and open to controversy, changes in mobility
patterns for vulnerable population groups are likely to indicate a change in
livelihoods or coping strategies. These changes can also indicate that the
population groups may be exposed to new shocks; hence, monitoring of changes in
mobility patterns can be a powerful early warning mechanism.

Computers and Society