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Vulnerability is the probability of seeing one's situation or standards of living worsen in the face of shocks or risks, whatever one's level of economic strength. To analyze vulnerability, it is necessary to identify not only the potential global risk one household or one person may encounter in a given period and a given place, but also the capability for reaction or resilience, that is to say, all the capabilities that will make households or individuals capable of reacting positively and of getting back on their feet. We highlight the capabilities that made the difference between households' resilience and vulnerability when facing the effects of cyclone Eline that struck Manjakandriana in February of 2000.