In studying the impact of disasters, concern has developed regarding populations that demonstrate a greater vulnerability to injury, death, and/or property loss. This chapter reviews populations at risk and identifies the special needs that each might experience. Personnel with responsibilities for managing disasters reflect on how each population might be present in their practices or jurisdictions. The chapter examines a number of the populations considered vulnerable by generally following the emergence of that literature as it has unfolded over the past few decades. Both emergency managers and disaster researchers tend to group the practice and knowledge relating to disasters into a life cycle of emergency management. In the U.S., the National Governor's Association organized the phases into preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation activities. The chapter addresses special needs concerns within each phase. It concludes with a consideration of practical strategies and includes recommendations for future research and a resource section.