Nicosia: The Cabinet is expected to approve on Wednesday the proposals being prepared by the relevant Ministries for compensating individuals affected by the devastating fires in the Limassol district. Speaking with the CNA on Monday, following the President’s televised speech on Sunday, Dr. Artemis Antoniades, the Director of the Agriculture Department at the Ministry of Agriculture, stated that the Minister, Maria Panayiotou, will present two draft documents to the Council of Ministers for approval.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the first document involves compensating income losses for a period of one year to all farmers and livestock breeders in the fire-affected zones. Those who have already applied for an area subsidy for 2025, totaling 985 according to Antoniades, do not need to file an additional application. He said that applications from individuals not registered with the Cyprus Agricultural Payments Organization will be accepted until Friday. As of Sunday, 182 individuals had already submitted applications, which will be processed to facilitate aid distribution.
Dr. Antoniades further outlined the second proposal by the Minister, which outlines a plan the Department of Agriculture is preparing to launch for revitalizing affected producers. Individuals interested in resuming their operations can submit an application to the Department of Agriculture within 15 days from the announcement date, receiving a 30% advance payment as part of the total eligible aid.
The President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides, in a televised address to the people of Cyprus, on Sunday evening, following the devastating fires in Limassol, announced 12 immediate actions by the Government to support those affected. After meeting with the Presidents of the affected communities, relevant Ministers, and the Commissioner for the Development of Mountain Communities, they agreed on immediate government actions to support those impacted by the fires.
Key actions include immediate financial support for community councils to address urgent needs, with additional funds as necessary, temporary housing, basic needs, psychological support, and rent subsidies for displaced individuals, full repair of damaged properties, with financial support at market rates for uninsured homes, immediate compensation covering 100% income loss for a year for affected farmers and livestock breeders, plans to restore infrastructure and machinery for businesses and agriculture, lump sum aid for families with damaged homes: £10,000 for total destruction, £2,000 per child, £5,000 for partial damage, and £1,000 per child.
Moreover, extra support for vulnerable families, three-month compensation for employees and self-employed individuals whose businesses cannot operate, restoration of water and electricity networks soon, government to cover annual community fees and taxes for residents and businesses, and environmental restoration of the area.
Meanwhile, starting today and continuing daily, including weekends, Psychological Support Centers for those affected by the large fire in the Limassol district will be available. According to the Mental Health Services Directorate of the State Health Services Organisation (SHSO), two Psychological Support Centers have been set up and will operate with specialized Mental Health Professionals at Souni Primary School (tel. 94069672) and at the Community Council of Agios Therapontas (tel. 94069673). The Support Centers aim to provide immediate psychological support, relief from mental pain, and mental empowerment for those affected.