Natural disasters in Greece
Insect plagues
In Greece, it is swarming with insects. Some are a nuisance, such as flies or mosquitoes, but most are harmless. Villagers on a small Greek island are battling a real plague of locusts. The situation is so serious that the authorities declared a state of emergency – informs the Daily Mail. A biblical plague of millions of insects has struck the town of Agios Efstratios. Locusts absorb huge amounts of plants, which resulted in starvation of farm animals . Desperate students from Athens undertook the challenging – mission by traversing rocky terrain to fight insects using pesticides. Unfortunately, despite their efforts, locusts continue to swarm all over the island.
Fires in Greece
In August 2023, Greece experienced the largest forest fire in the history of the European Union. The Alexandroupolis region was ravaged by fire, which consumed more than 81,000 hectares of land.
This event not only destroyed ecosystems and threatened human settlements, but also became a symbol of the struggle against the increasingly frequent and intense natural disasters that are attributed to climate change. The European Union has responded to this crisis by sending 11 firefighting planes and more than 400 firefighters under the EU Civil Protection Mechanism.
International cooperation and solidarity have proved crucial in the fight against an element that knows no borders. This fire reminded of the tragic events of 2018, when 104 people died in a seaside resort near Athens.
It was the deadliest fire tragedy in Greek history, which made people aware of the need for rapid and effective evacuation and better crisis management. Greece today faces the challenge of rebuilding and preventing future disasters. Investments in early warning systems, public education and increased environmental awareness are essential to reduce the risk and impact of forest fires.
In the face of these challenges, each of us can contribute to the protection of the environment. We can do this through simple measures such as saving water, segregating waste or reducing carbon dioxide emissions. Together we can create a better future for our planet.
Natural disasters in Pieria region
Fires in the Pieria region
Forest fires are a burning problem in the Pierian region. In hot and dry summers, forests are particularly prone to fire. The causes of fires can be varied: natural activities, such as lightning strikes, as well as human activities, such as carelessness in handling fire or intentional arson. These fires pose a serious threat to local flora and fauna, destroying ecosystems and endangering species. In addition, human settlements are exposed to material losses and security. Therefore, it is important to take action for the prevention, education and protection of forests from fires.
Floods in the Greek Pieria
The prairie is exposed to heavy rainfall, especially during periods between seasons which can cause flooding, and this is mainly due to the geographical location of the region. Increased rainfall can cause an increase in river levels, as well as flooding of lowland areas – especially near the Aliakmonas River and its tributaries.
Earthquakes: Pieria
Greece is a country located in a region with a high level of seismic activity, which contributes to many earthquakes also in the region of Pieria . Most of them have low intensity, although there is a risk of more destructive shocks, which are very dangerous for human life.
Management and response strategy for natural disasters in Pieria
A key element for ensuring sustainable and safe development of the Pieria region is the integration of natural disaster risk reduction strategies with local development planning. The effectiveness of actions and their planning processes can be improved by involving local communities. The long-term resilience of the region is influenced by continuous risk assessment, investment in technologies and infrastructures, and education and preparation of local communities.
Investment in infrastructure: Construction and modernisation of infrastructure, such as piles, drainage systems and reinforced forms of construction, is crucial to reduce the impact of floods and earthquakes.
The Erasmus+ project on natural disasters in Greece is a unique undertaking in which we (Michał, Weronika, Nikola, Natalka and Gabriela) participated with great passion, we devoted a lot of time and commitment to delve into the topic of natural disasters in this beautiful country. Our research helped us understand what challenges Greece faces related to natural disasters. Together we have done work that emphasizes the need to protect the environment, build reinforced anti-flood structures and take actions to reduce the effects of forest fires and more. Thanks to our work, many people can better understand how important it is to take action to protect nature and the safety of residents. 