This paper describes the damage caused by natural disasters in Slovenia and around the world between 1995 and 2010. The fundamental purpose of the article is to present damage caused by different natural hazards in Slovenia and abroad together with the analysis of the amount of damage caused by natural disasters together and a discussion on the comparability of data. Described is the damage caused by earthquakes, floods, fires, droughts, strong winds, hail, frost and ice, and landslides and avalanches. From the analyzed material on the amount of damage we can evaluate the financial importance of prevention, which is be a key activity in the field of protection against natural disasters.

The paper discusses the definitions of natural disasters and recommends the implementation of definitions and classifications of natural disasters in accordance with those decreed at the Centre for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters (CRED) and Munich Re insurance Company (Munich RE) for administrative use in the Republic of Serbia. For the Republic of Serbia, the issue of natural disasters is presented both through government documents (e.g. the Law on Emergencies and the National Strategy of the Protection and Rescue in Emergencies) and the survey of the frequency and typology of disasters. Significant discrepancies exist between older and more contemporary classifications of disasters in Serbia. They are especially emphasized in comparison to the CRED and Munich RE classifications and databases. This causes problems in the monitoring, recording and assessment of the effects of natural disasters. It is proposed that definitions be adapted and implemented into legislative and other documents.