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The community leader of Lofou, Yiannos Neophytou, expressed disappointment Tuesday following a Parliamentary session on the recent wildfires in the Limassol district, saying local leaders expected solutions but instead witnessed political infighting.
“We spent many hours there hoping to hear how they could help us, but instead we heard them arguing and blaming each other,” Neophytou told the Cyprus News Agency (CNA). He described the session as a “public trial” that failed to address the pressing needs of affected communities.
Neophytou emphasized the emotional toll on residents, recounting cases such as a villager too traumatized to return to his burned home. He praised state health services for providing psychological support and urged the government to fulfill its promises, particularly regarding compensation for illegally built houses.
While Lofou has largely restored electricity and water, Neophytou said some remote houses remain without power and plumbing repairs continue.
The community leaders of Vouni and Mallia, Matthaios Protopapas and Marilena Athini, declined to comment on the Parliamentary session, calling it “not what we expected.” Both confirmed that their villages have nearly full restoration of power and water.
Damage assessments recorded 35 houses completely destroyed and 34 partially damaged in Vouni, with compensation payments already underway. In Mallia, officials noted minor damages may still surface as some properties are only seasonally occupied.
Despite infrastructure recovery, Neophytou warned that the psychological and economic aftermath continues to weigh heavily on the communities, saying, “This isn’t over yet.”
With information from CNA.
