Nicosia: Cyprus and Greece join forces in the cross-border “Epikentrosis” project, implemented with the support of the European Regional Development Fund, to strengthen preparedness for responding to and effectively managing natural disasters such as earthquakes. Speaking during a press conference held on Wednesday at the Fire Service headquarters to mark the official launch of the project, Minister of Justice and Public Order, Marios Hartsiotis, said that by strengthening emergency services, upgrading technology, training, and operational tools, as well as implementing projects such as “Epikentrosis,” we are building an even more resilient and secure state.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the project is being implemented as part of the 2021-2027 Programme, with the support of the European Regional Development Fund, and aims to adapt to climate change and prevent disaster risks. As he explained, the “Epikentrosis” project aims to reinforce this effort through targeted actions, including the provision of modern rescue, coordination, and restoration vehicles to ensure rapid and effective mobilization in the event of disasters. At the same time, the provision of specialized rescue equipment will strengthen rescue and risk management operations.
He added that a particularly important element of the project is the implementation of joint training programs focusing on earthquakes, which aim to strengthen staff skills, developing a common operational understanding among partners, and familiarizing them with modern technologies and methods of crisis prevention and management. He said that these interventions are shaping an updated and common operational framework for dealing with natural disasters, with an emphasis on earthquakes, strengthening the preparedness, resilience, and protection of the country’s communities.
“The government attaches the utmost importance to civil protection. The protection of life, property, and social cohesion is a fundamental responsibility of the state. By strengthening emergency services, upgrading technology, education, and operational tools, and implementing projects such as ‘Epikentrosis’, we are building an even more resilient and secure state. Beyond material resources and know-how, it is important that we strengthen our collective consciousness and ongoing cooperation between agencies, creating a protection network that will withstand time and challenges,” emphasized Hartsiotis.
For his part, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of the Interior, Elikkos Elia, said that the “Epikentrosis” project is a strategic collaboration between Greece and Cyprus that responds to a real and ongoing challenge for both countries, that of managing the risks posed by earthquakes and large-scale natural disasters. He added that at the same time, the project is investing substantially in education, as three specialized workshops will be implemented on the management of earthquake disasters, applying an educational methodology that promotes the exchange of experiences and know-how, while executives from the Cyprus and Greek Fire Services will initially be trained and then act as trainers for the programmes to be implemented in Cyprus and Crete.
“The launch of this important project coincides with the efforts undertaken by the government of Nikos Christodoulides to upgrade the civil protection sector. The purpose of transforming the Ministry of the Interior into the Ministry of the Interior and Civil Protection and bringing state services under one roof is primarily to improve the organization and optimize the use of available human and material resources so that we can strengthen our response to disaster situations. On behalf of the Minister, I would like to assure you that we will work diligently to fully utilize the project’s potential and achieve all the expected results,” concluded Elia.
In his address, the Chief Fire Officer of the Fire Service, Nikos Logginos, said that the project is being implemented within the framework of the European programme Interreg VI-A Greece-Cyprus 2021-2027, with co-financing from the European Regional Development Fund and national resources of Cyprus and Greece. As he stated, the pound 2.5 million in funding will be used to purchase special high-performance rescue vehicles, supply specialized equipment (search, rescue, and communications), training to improve the knowledge and skills of Fire Service members, and conducting preparedness exercises through a series of joint training programs between partners, combining theoretical training and practical field exercises.
He added that in the near future, with the implementation of the “Epikentrosis” project, there are plans to substantially strengthen all districts with specialized equipment for dealing with seismic events, as well as the creation of local rapid response teams, so that simultaneous and coordinated operations are possible in the event of massive catastrophic consequences of an earthquake, a development of key importance, as it strengthens the country’s operational resilience, reduces response time, and significantly increases the chances of saving human lives.