Nicosia: The Council of Ministers has announced a decision to provide financial assistance to individuals and businesses impacted by severe weather on August 29. This announcement came from Interior Minister Constantinos Ioannou following a Cabinet meeting held at the Presidential Palace.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the Cabinet has outlined specific criteria for distributing financial aid to those affected by the adverse weather conditions. The assistance will cover uninsured privately owned permanent residences, photovoltaic systems, uninsured business premises, and uninsured vehicles, each with designated maximum amounts and coverage percentages. For instance, uninsured residences will receive financial aid covering 80% of the assessed damage, with a cap of £20,000 for structural damage and £15,000 for equipment damage.
Photovoltaic systems installed in uninsured residences will receive aid covering 80% of the damage, up to £7,000. Similarly, uninsured business premises will be eligible for assistance covering 70% of the assessed damage, with a maximum of £30,000 for building damage and £10,000 for equipment damage. Uninsured vehicles that meet certain conditions will receive aid covering 75% of the damage, up to £5,000 per vehicle.
Minister Ioannou highlighted that insured properties and vehicles would receive assistance equal to the assessed damage, up to the insurance excess. Assistance is reserved for buildings with valid permits and permanent, licensed structures. He also mentioned that the total financial aid amount has not been finalized due to ongoing assessments.
Preliminary assessments have identified damage in various districts, including 183 homes in Nicosia, 12 homes and a livestock facility in Larnaca, 12 homes and a business premises in Paphos, 11 homes in Limassol, and two homes and a church in Famagusta. The assessment process is set to continue until next Monday, after which the final number of affected properties and vehicles will be determined.
