Cyprus Mail 30 July 2025 - by Rebekah Gregoriades
The cabinet decided on Wednesday on the amount of aid for victims of last week’s wildfire that swept through Limassol villages, leaving hundreds of people homeless and wrecking businesses.
Officials recording the damage since the fire found 440 damaged houses, of which 211 were completely destroyed. Furthermore, 81 warehouses, 19 businesses and 101 vehicles were lost in the fire. The number may rise if further requests for compensation are submitted.
“The government’s intention, as expressed by the president of the Republic, is to support those affected financially and logistically for the restoration of their properties as soon as possible,” Interior Minister Constantinos Ioannou said after the cabinet meeting.
Ioannou announced that all families whose homes were completely destroyed would be receiving €10,000 to cover basic needs, as well as an extra €2,000 for each dependent child.
Families whose homes were partially damaged will receive €5,000 for basic needs and an extra €1,000 for each dependent child.
These lump sums will be paid to the beneficiaries the latest by Monday.
Furthermore, the cabinet decided to subsidise rents for the afflicted as of September 1.
The subsidies, to be paid every quarter, will be €800 for every family and €200 for each dependent child. They will be given for 24 months to those whose permanent residences were totally destroyed, for six months to those whose permanent residences were partially destroyed and for three months to those who were renting houses lost in the fire.
The damage to properties will also be fully restored.
Ioannou said the assessment of the cost of restoring the damage will be carried out by Etek, the scientific and technical chamber, “in order to ensure transparency and objectivity”.
“Current market prices will be used to assess the damage. The aim is to complete the process within the first ten days of August, at least as regards permanent residences, which will be given priority. For residences that are insured, the deductible amount will be paid immediately. For the purposes of accelerating the payment of financial support, the presentation of documents will not be required,” Ioannou explained.
Ioannou said that for residences that have been completely destroyed and are licensed, the payment will be made in three instalments – 25 per cent upon submission of an application, 25 per cent upon securing an architect/civil engineer, and 50 per cent upon completion of half of the construction works.
For unlicensed residences located within a residential zone, owners will be able to submit an application to the Limassol district government organisation (EOA). If a licence is granted, the compensation will be paid in the same manner as the already licensed buildings.
For those unable to obtain the necessary permits, financial assistance equal to 25 per cent of the estimated damage will be granted.
For homes that have suffered partial damage, financial support for the cost of repairs will be paid in a single installment before the start of restoration works.
Furthermore, the cabinet decided to exempt permanent residents and businesses in the affected areas from paying annual community fees and taxes for the current year. The dues will be covered by the state and paid to the community councils.
Ioannou said the cabinet also decided to suspend the obligation to pay rent for leased Turkish Cypriot properties granted for agricultural or livestock purposes to the affected communities, for a period of 12 months from August 1 and regardless of other assistance that will be granted to the affected users of the properties.
The restoration of the damage to the Turkish Cypriot buildings will be undertaken entirely by the state guardian of Turkish Cypriot property.
Similarly, rent paid for state-owned plots granted for agricultural and livestock purposes will also be suspended for a period of 12 months from August 1, regardless of other aid granted to the affected users.
Ioannou said financial support had already been paid to the community councils on Friday and any additional needs will be covered in consultation with the communities.
The cabinet decided that documents destroyed in the fire, such as identity cards, birth certificates and passports, will be renewed free of charge.
Additionally, the Civil Defence is managing housing for those affected until the completion of the assessment of the cost of the damage by Etek. Short-term or long-term relocation will be arranged based on the data that will emerge for each case separately.
