From Risk to Resilience: Strengthening Preparedness for Wildfires and Earthquakes in Europe

Europe faces escalating risks from natural hazards. Wildfires are growing more frequent, intense, and widespread, while earthquakes, though less visible in public debate, remain a persistent threat. Together, they expose critical vulnerabilities in Europe's infrastructure, economies, and communities, underscoring the need for stronger, long-term investment in disaster preparedness.

Wildfire risk is rising across Europe, which is warming faster than any other region in the world. Extreme wildfires are projected to rise 14% by 2030 and 50% by the end of the century. Already in 2025, wildfires have burned over 1 million hectares across the EU-four times the annual average since recordkeeping began in 2006. While the Mediterranean remains the most affected, risks are expanding northward. Regions once considered low risk, including parts of Scandinavia, now face new vulnerabilities such as peatland fires that release large carbon reserves. Infrastructure is highly exposed: in several EU Member States, more than 80% percent of roads and 70% of power lines lie in wildfire-prone areas.

Despite mounting risks, preparedness across Europe remains uneven. Building resilience requires sustained investments in climate- and seismic-resilient infrastructure, robust early-warning and response systems, and stronger public awareness. Opportunities are clear: integrated governance can link wildfire prevention to land-use with land-use and natural resource management, while seismic retrofitting can be paired with energy-efficiency and other multi-hazard upgrades. Better data and predictive tools can sharpen decisionmaking. Community engagement-from evacuation drills to public campaigns-can help foster a culture of preparedness. Improved post-disaster planning and innovative financing, including improved contingency funds and insurance, can ensure resources are quickly available after disasters strike.

A new series of reports by the World Bank Group and the Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery, funded by the European Union, under the Technical Assistance Financing Facility for Disaster Prevention and Preparedness, sets out practical measures to strengthen Europe's preparedness for wildfires and earthquakes. Drawing on case studies from Croatia, Cyprus, and Romania, the findings offer insights for governments worldwide on how to allocate resources more effectively and build disaster resilience in the decades ahead.

Including case studies on:

CROATIA - Management of Wildfire Risk

CYPRUS - Management of Wildfire Risk

ROMANIA - Management of Wildfire Risk

Including case studies on:

CROATIA - Management of Earthquake Risk

CYPRUS - Management of Earthquake Risk

ROMANIA - Management of Earthquake Risk