Filenews 5 June 2025 - by Angelos Nicolaou
A significant reform in the field of crisis and natural disaster management is brought about by the decision of the Council of Ministers for the creation of a National Civil Protection Mechanism, as well as for the transformation of Civil Defence into a General Civil Protection Administration. A decision was taken during yesterday's session of the Ministerial Cabinet, following a proposal by the Minister of the Interior, Konstantinos Ioannou.
As Mr. Ioannou stated, the goal is the radical modernization of the national crisis management framework, with Civil Protection now assuming a central coordinating role, ensuring the maximum utilization of all the forces involved – Police, Fire Brigade, Forestry Department, Ambulance Service, District Administrations, Game and Fauna Service and other services.
The new structure will be implemented based on European Union (EU) standards, under the guidance of the French organization Expertise France and with funding of €700,000 from the Reform Directorate DG REFORM of the European Commission. The relevant study concerning the project "Reform, development and strengthening of the civil protection system in Cyprus" is expected to be completed by September 2026.
The Republic of Cyprus seeks to harmonize with the best European practices, strengthening the country's infrastructure for prevention, preparation, response and restoration against natural and man-made disasters.
The existing Civil Defence is renamed the General Civil Protection Command, assuming a new, expanded role. Its responsibilities now include: • Crisis and risk management • Monitoring critical infrastructure • Training and coordination of volunteers • Operation of the emergency number 112 and the Population Early Warning System (PWS) • Development and management of the National Database.
At the same time, a National Coordinator will be established, with responsibility for the general coordination of all stakeholders involved in times of crisis, as well as for informing the Ministerial Crisis Management Team. At the same time, it will submit recommendations to the Ministerial Group on the best, under the circumstances, option to take action, based on the evaluation of the data, the exchange of views with the heads of the services involved and its know-how. The role of the National Coordinator may be assumed by the Civil Defence Commander or by another expert that may be decided by the Council of Ministers.
This modernization was deemed necessary due to modern and multidimensional threats – from forest fires and extreme weather events, to pandemics, technological crises and geopolitical turbulences. The reorganization aims to strengthen national resilience and better protect the population and critical infrastructure.
The Ministry of the Interior undertakes the preparation of the institutional framework for the National Mechanism, the definition of the cooperation protocols and the full implementation of the reform, the strengthening of the responsibilities of the Civil Defence, the approval of the creation of a Permanent Scientific Council, the approval of the institution of the National Coordinator. With the institutionalization and operation of the National Civil Protection Mechanism, Cyprus seeks to establish an integrated, flexible and efficient crisis management system, in full harmony with European standards.
Today, the Civil Defence is responsible for taking preventive, repressive and relieving humanitarian measures, which aim to protect the population and its property, to protect the environment, cultural heritage, as well as vital infrastructure from the effects of disasters, which either come from natural causes (earthquakes, floods, tornadoes, etc.) or are due to the human factor (arson, accidents, etc.).
Modern challenges, such as the climate crisis, pandemics, technological dependence, energy insecurity and geopolitical instability, with devastating consequences for people, society, the environment and the economy, make it imperative to strengthen the role of Civil Defence in managing the ever-changing risk environment. Among other things, in December 2023, it was tasked with coordinating, implementing and managing the single European emergency number 112, as well as the development and management of the population early warning system in cases of emergency, while the approval by the House of Representatives of the legislative framework that makes Civil Defence the Competent Authority for ensuring the resilience of critical entities is expected soon.
On three main axes
The General Administration of Civil Protection will be structured in three main areas:
• Coordination, Crisis and Operations Division:
a) Crisis Management Coordination Centre (under which the Operations Control Centre, the Coordination Centre for the Management of the Pan-European Emergency Number "112" and the Public Warning System (PWS) Management Centre will also operate) b) Risk Management and Resilience Monitoring Branch of Critical Entities c) Regional Civil Protection Administrations and Shelters
• Communications, Education and Technology Sector:
(a) Volunteer Coordination and Education Division (b) International Relations, Communication and Information Division (c) Digital Governance and National Database Division (with real-time data)
• Finance and Human Resources Department:
(a) Financial Management, European Finance and Public Procurement Sector (b) Strategic Planning Sector (c) Human Resources and Development Sector
Scientific support and strategic direction
The new framework also includes the establishment of a Permanent Scientific Council, which will consist of experts and academics. The Council will have an advisory role to the Minister of the Interior and will propose ways to strengthen the preparedness of the state and improve the response to emergencies. These proposals will be evaluated in consultation with the co-competent services and will be sent to the Council of Ministers for approval.
The Civil Defence, within the framework of the National Civil Protection Mechanism, will be responsible for monitoring the implementation of the Decisions of the Council of Ministers by the involved bodies and the taking of all competent actions on their part, in order to ensure, in times of non-crisis, that all the necessary measures are taken to strengthen the operational capacity of the Republic. In the event that incomplete implementation or non-compliance with the decisions is found, the Civil Defence will inform the Minister of the Interior, who will raise the issue before the Council of Ministers. The composition and role of the Permanent Scientific Council will be clearly defined in the new institutional framework that will be developed for the National Civil Protection Mechanism.
