Filenews 13 January 2026 - by Vassos Vassiliou
Dealing with destructive phenomena, from natural disasters and earthquakes to pandemics, accidents, fires, etc., is covered by a bill prepared by the Ministry of the Interior and which was put up for public consultation by all interested parties.
More specifically, the disasters that are sought to be dealt with in the territory of the Republic, through the bill, include: "Earthquake, landslide or subsidence, flood, cyclone, tornado, sea level rise, marine pollution, water scarcity, coastal erosion, storm or rough seas, tsunami or any other natural disaster, technological accident, fire, explosion, pandemic, epidemic, accident, shipwreck, climate change, air pollution, desertification of soil or other serious event, the magnitude of which causes or may cause risks to the life or health or well-being of a significant number of persons or far-reaching consequences for the environment or the natural resources of the Republic".
The "Civil Protection Law of 2026" provides for the taking of actions during or immediately after any disaster to protect people's lives and health, to address their immediate living needs, to ensure the provision of relief and support to mitigate the effects of the disaster and to protect property, of the natural environment and fauna. At the same time, measures will be taken to return society, the environment and the economy to normality after a crisis.
For the implementation of the above, a Basic National Crisis Management Plan (in peacetime) from natural and man-made disasters will be implemented, as approved from time to time by the Council of Ministers and includes the Special National Plans (SPPs) prepared on the basis of it. It is also noted that there will be a "National Crisis Management Coordination Center". It is an operations center from which the coordination of all crisis response forces is exercised.
To deal with extreme phenomena and situations, the Police, the National Guard and other Departments and Services of ministries, independent services, local government bodies, universities, private businesses and citizens as well as any essential service will be mobilized.
According to the bill, "civil protection" includes any measure that:
>> It constitutes a form of defence against an enemy attack or deprives any enemy attack of all or part of its action, regardless of whether this measure is taken before, during or after such attack, but does not include the construction and maintenance of shelters intended for use by the armed forces of the Republic.
>> It is a way of responding to a disaster or limiting its effects and includes systematic actions to prevent, plan, educate, prepare, respond and manage its impact, regardless of whether the measure is taken preventively or during or after the disaster in question.
According to the bill, any building, construction or excavation will be used to provide protection from destruction or enemy attack, unless they are intended for use by the armed forces of the Republic.
According to the bill, "crisis" means a disaster or threatened destruction which can be brought about either by natural and/or man-made factors or by a hostile or threatened enemy attack.
For the handling of the above phenomena, the responsibility will lie with the "Ministerial Crisis Management Team (YOC)". At the same time, a National Civil Protection Mechanism is established in order to improve the effectiveness of the Republic at all stages of the disaster and hostile attack management cycle, i.e. prevention, preparedness, response and rehabilitation.
The National Mechanism has the following objectives:
1. The prevention or reduction of the possible effects of disasters and enemy attacks.
2. The cultivation of a culture of prevention, especially through information and education actions.
3. The awareness and preparation of the public against disasters and enemy attacks.
4. The strengthening of cooperation between the Departments and the involved bodies.
5. Strengthening preparedness to deal with disasters or hostile attacks at the national level.
6. To facilitate a rapid and effective response in the event of disasters or enemy attacks, existing or threatened, inter alia, by taking measures to mitigate their immediate consequences.
7. Increasing the availability and use of scientific knowledge on disasters and enemy attacks.
The Council of Ministers exercises the general supervision and guidance of the National Civil Protection Mechanism. In the event of a hostile action or threatened hostile action which threatens the life or property of a civilian population or in the event of a disaster or threatened destruction, the response to which requires the mass mobilization of human resources or means that the Republic does not have sufficient resources at the given time and place, the National Coordinator may: "Declare a state of civil protection, either in the entire territory of the Republic or in a specific area, with the aim of immediately taking civil protection measures for the protection of any persons or their property, as well as for the protection of natural resources and the environment".
