Newsroom
Authorities in Cyprus say most of the emergency relief promised to families hit by last month’s devastating wildfires in the Limassol district has already been distributed.
Government spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis said Thursday that 95% of the direct aid, about €2.2 million ($2.4 million), has been paid to households to cover urgent needs. Power and water supplies have also been fully restored to affected communities, he added.
Damage assessments have been completed for about 300 homes, with first payments already made in more than 160 cases. Families unable to return home will begin receiving rent subsidies on Sept. 1.
Letymbiotis said authorities have also finished recording losses to vehicles and machinery. So far, €205,000 has been allocated to cover salaries for 165 employees for three months, beginning in August, while 14 businesses received nearly €40,000 for damaged goods and equipment.
Farmers and livestock breeders have been among the hardest hit, with 1,266 recipients receiving more than €3 million in income support. Twenty-seven tourist lodgings were awarded €136,000 in aid, while 15 villages have requested power generators. A large-scale tree planting program is expected to begin in the fall.
The Presidential Palace said in a statement that flood protection works in fire-stricken areas will begin in September. The Water Development Department has identified about 60 sites needing intervention, with high-risk locations scheduled for completion by the end of October. Environmental officials have also submitted proposals for longer-term preventive measures.
