Natural disasters, that is, disasters caused by a natural phenomenon, affect residential areas, the natural environment, and economic activities.

Although it is now possible to estimate with relative accuracy the likelihood of certain dangerous events that can cause destruction, timely information to the population and the implementation of specific measures present significant challenges. Even if these are achieved, they cannot prevent some major impacts or avert a disaster.

Therefore, great importance is placed on preventive planning (spatial, building and infrastructure, risk management, etc.), which primarily aims to ensure the highest possible level of safety for the population, constructions, and activities, and consequently reduce the expected impacts.

In combination, pre-disaster civil protection planning aims to mitigate the impacts and successfully deal with them, should a disaster occur. Greece is exposed to natural risks such as earthquakes, floods, wildfires, and coastal erosion.

Modern processes, such as climate change, are estimated to increase the country's exposure to natural hazards and likely amplify the consequences of their potential occurrence. The country has developed policies and actions aimed at prevention and response to natural disasters, as well as post-disaster recovery.

These are developed both at management levels and through spatial policy and planning tools, as well as through the activation of civil society structures. The discussion about natural disasters, with an emphasis on the role of spatial policies, regains particular interest and great urgency.