The paper examines the concept of 'vulnerability' drawing on literature on welfare systems in the developed world, and vulnerability to famine and disasters in the Third World. The concept is applied to a case study of refugee vulnerability in Greece. Factors influencing the livelihood and vulnerability of a sample of refugee households and individuals living in Athens in 1992 are considered. It is argued that vulnerability must be viewed in terms not only of the characteristics of individuals and households, but also in terms of the context of state policies and the wider characteristics of society and the economy. A number of elements both of Greek policy and society that significantly increase refugee vulnerability are identified, along with actual and potential responses of agencies providing assistance to refugees. © 1994 Oxford University Press.

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