Limassol: Eighty-six beneficiaries have received emergency aid following the devastating wildfires in Limassol, as reported by the Commissioner for the Development of Mountain Communities, Charalambos Christofinas. The aid, distributed to those whose homes were destroyed or damaged, is expected to be fully processed by early next week.
According to Cyprus News Agency, Christofinas noted improvements in the fire-stricken communities, with residents beginning to return to normalcy. Electricity has been restored in more areas, thanks to the efforts of the Electricity Authority (EAC) and the Water Development Department, who are working rapidly to restore services.
Cleanup operations commenced on Friday, with the Department of Environment placing skip containers in affected areas. Local authorities and volunteers have joined forces to remove debris from public spaces. However, private properties remain off-limits due to safety concerns, although owners will receive compensation for cleanup as part of state aid for reconstruction or repair.
Additionally, crews from the Department of Agriculture are assessing further damage to agricultural plots and machinery. The Ministry of the Interior has confirmed that 730,000 euros have been disbursed so far, with financial aid continuing swiftly to meet the urgent needs of affected residents. The government aims to complete payments to all beneficiaries in the coming week, following instructions from the President of the Republic for a prompt response.
Earlier this week, the Council of Ministers approved various financial support measures, including a lump sum of 10,000 pounds for families whose primary residences were destroyed, with additional funds for each child. Families with damaged homes will receive 5,000 pounds, with extra compensation per child, and full compensation for property damage based on current market prices.