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Poland and Greece are countries with long histories and diverse challenges related to natural disasters. They have taken various measures to manage crises in the face of these hazards.

Crisis management in Poland

In Poland, the crisis management system is organized on the basis of the Crisis Management Act of 2007, which imposes obligations on various levels of government and local government to plan, organize and implement activities aimed at preventing, preparing for and responding to emergencies. At the center of this system stands the Government Security Center (RCB), which acts as a coordinator of activities in the face of disasters, both natural and man-made.

Natural disasters in Poland:

1. floods

Floods are one of the greatest natural hazards in Poland. They are characterized by prolonged flooding of areas, which can lead to significant property damage and casualties among the population. The most memorable flood was the one in 1997, known as the “flood of the century,” which affected many regions, especially Lower Silesia and Opole. Material losses were enormous, and the number of evacuees numbered in the thousands. As a result of this catastrophe, the authorities introduced a number of reforms in the crisis management system, which resulted, among other things, in the construction of dams and the intensity of work to regulate water levels in rivers.

2. Hurricanes and storms

Climatic variability affects the increasing frequency of strong winds and storms, which used to be uncommon in Poland. In recent years, especially in summer, there have been occurrences of hurricane-force winds, which can cause massive damage to infrastructure – toppling trees, damaging building roofs and power grids. In 2017, Hurricane “Xavier” caused numerous power outages and damage in many parts of the country, and put people at risk. As a result of these events, it is important to monitor weather forecasts and provide early warning to residents of impending threats.

3. Winter storms

Poland faces extreme snowfall and severe frosts in winter. Winter storms can lead to serious traffic problems, including road paralysis, as well as infrastructure failures. An example was the winter of 2010, when snowfall led to the closure of many transportation routes and impeded public transport. In such a situation, authorities must implement measures to clear snow from roads and ensure the safety of drivers and pedestrians.

4. Droughts

While droughts may not seem like such spectacular events as floods, they have serious consequences, especially in agriculture. Poland experiences periods of water shortages every year, affecting crops and livestock. During the summer, when temperatures rise and rainfall is low, farmers have to struggle to irrigate their fields. Prolonged droughts lead to a decline in crop yields, which in turn affects food prices and the country’s food security.

Poland: Threats and Ways to Respond

Flood control infrastructure

The flood of the millennium in 1997 was a turning point in Poland’s approach to flood risk management. The aftermath of that disaster – more than 50 deaths and thousands of flooded homes – highlighted the need to invest in modern flood control infrastructure. These measures include:

Modernization of dikes – Protection of dikes and their expansion especially in floodplains next to rivers such as the Oder and Vistula.
Retention reservoirs – Building reservoirs to control water levels and reduce the risk of flooding during heavy rainfall.
Drainage channels and drainage systems – Expansion and modernization of drainage systems, which helps quickly reduce groundwater levels in the event of heavy rains

Early warning systems

The government is developing technologies to monitor and forecast flood and weather risks. Meteorological and hydrological institutes have developed systems that can predict rising river levels. In practice, this means that:

Emergency services and residents receive notifications of hazards, allowing them to prepare or evacuate.
SMS information system – Information on emergencies is sent out via SMS, which ensures quick contact with residents in threatened areas.

Actions at local and communitylevels

Poland has a well-developed network of local structures that help respond to emergencies. Examples include:

Volunteer Fire Brigades (TSOs) – TSOs are a network of local firefighting units that operate especially in rural areas and smaller towns. These units are active in emergency situations, such as floods, fires and windstorms, involving the local community.
Neighborhood activism and local self-governance – During emergencies, residents are able to support each other by organizing, for example, neighborhood relief actions, joint collections and shelters for the affected.

Education and exercises

Poland attaches importance to educating citizens about disaster response. Organized are:

Simulation exercises – Conducted by emergency services (fire, police,ambulance ) and TSO units, which helps them practice procedures and remind citizens how to act in an emergency.
Educational campaigns – The government and NGOs conduct campaigns that teach people how to prepare for floods, such as by insuring their homes or securing their property.

Greece: Disasters and Disaster Systems

Greeks face a variety of challenges – mainly forest fires, earthquakes and floods. Greece lies on an active seismic zone and has a dry, hot climate, which particularly affects the nature of the hazards.

Protection against firesThe summers in Greece are extremely hot and dry, which makes fires break out very easily. In the fight against fires there are:
- Monitoring and rapid response systems – Greece has developed modern monitoring technologies that detect fires based on changes in temperature and smoke. In addition, the armed forces and volunteer firefighting units are ready to respond quickly to fires.
- Air support – Greece uses aircraft and helicopters to extinguish fires, which is effective in hard-to-reach areas.
- Prevention and information campaigns – Authorities conduct outreach activities, reminding citizens of safety rules and bans introduced during the summer season, such as the ban on lighting fires in forests.

Seismic risk management

Due to seismic activity, Greece has had to adjust its building regulations and emergency management systems. These measures include

Earthquake-resistantconstruction – Regulations mandate the use of earthquake-resistant construction techniques, which reduces the risk of buildings collapsing during tremors.
Training and drills – Simulation drills and earthquake response training are being organized in cities, especially in regions with the highest seismic risk, such as the islands and the south of the country.

International cooperation

Greece is part of the European Union and benefits from assistance and support through mechanisms of joint response to natural disasters. This includes:

Equipment and personnel assistance – Other EU countries send support to Greece, especially during major forest fires. Greece also benefits from the European Union’s International Emergency Fund, which supports countries affected by disasters.
Joint exercises – Greek emergency services take part in joint exercises with other countries, learning new techniques and exchanging experiences.

Civic activism and volunteerism

The Greek community is heavily involved in activities against natural disasters, especially during forest fires. Activities include:

- - NGOs – Greeks often support each other through organizations that are involved in firefighting, humanitarian aid and disaster recovery.
  - Volunteering – Residents, especially young people, get involved in rescue efforts, providing food and water for firefighters and participating in the evacuation of animals and affected people.

The work was prepared by: Amelia Stępień and Nikola Pankiewicz.