Damage caused by natural disasters in Slovenia and globally between 1995 and 2010

This paper describes the damage caused by natural disasters in Slovenia and globally between 1995 and 2010. The introductory chapter is devoted to the interpretation of the term damage and related terms, and the vulnerability of society to natural disasters. Listed are some greatet natural disasters around the world in terms of casualties as well as casualties due to various types of natural disaster in Slovenia. The second chapter presents a detailed analysis of the damage and casualties caused by natural disasters between 1995 and 2010 around the world, and highlights the regional differences that result from natural or social (political and economic) conditions. The third chapter deals in detail with the direct damage caused by natural disasters in Slovenia between 1995 and 2008. The damage caused by earthquakes, floods, fires, droughts, strong winds, hail, frost and ice and landslides and avalanches is described. From the analyzed material on the amount of damage one can be financially evaluate the importance of prevention, a key activity in the field of protection against natural disasters.