Filenews 4 January 2026 - by Angelos Nikolaou
Five months after the catastrophic fire in mountainous Limassol, where 104 square kilometers were reduced to ashes, the effort made to implement support and reconstruction measures in the fire-affected areas continues unabated, in order to limit the possibility of similar disasters as much as possible. The progress of the implementation and monitoring of the actions of the fire of July 23, 2025 starting in the area of Malia was undertaken by the Commissioner of Mountain Communities, Charalambos Christofinas, who was appointed by the President of the Republic Nikos Christodoulidis as responsible for the relief of the fire victims. The fire that burned thousands of acres of land left behind not only ashes, but also a huge need for immediate action.
Essentially, since the end of July, the Commissioner has been in constant communication with the competent Ministers-Deputy Ministers, as well as the presidents of the affected communities, to address practical issues and possible problems.
Measures for the immediate relief of those affected and to ensure the effective management of natural disasters as a result of the tragic loss of two persons, the injury of others, the destruction of property, arable land, livestock, loss of animals, but also serious effects on the environment.
Financial support of Community Councils Immediate payment of financial support to Community Councils to cover emergencies. It was completed on 25/7/2025, the amounts were paid while additional needs will be covered in consultation with the communities.
Granting financial assistance to those affected
1. One-off financial support to households whose first homes have suffered complete or significant damage to cover immediate or basic needs
• Total destruction: €10,000 per family plus €2,000 per dependent child.
• Partial destruction: €5,000 per family plus €1,000 per dependent child.
• Owners of holiday homes are not entitled to the lump sum
All recorded cases were paid, 286 households, a total of €2.2 million.
2. Temporary housing • The temporary housing of the affected people and the coverage of immediate basic needs as well as psychological support had been arranged, in consultation and cooperation with the community leaders.
It was completed, as the people who lived in the temporary accommodation areas have returned to their homes or have found permanent housing.
3. Rent subsidy From 1/9/25, per quarter: • €800 per family • €200 for each dependent child. • For a permanent residence that has been completely destroyed with a maximum duration of 24 months. • For a permanent residence that has been partially destroyed and has become uninhabitable for a maximum duration of 6 months. • For tenants of affected houses for a maximum duration of 3 months. • The amount has been paid to all beneficiaries for the first quarter (128 families) • In addition, the second instalment of rent for 70 families has already been deposited.
4. Psychosocial support. The aim of the interventions was to provide immediate psychological and social support to the affected residents, to assess their psychosocial needs and to connect them with the appropriate services. The action was carried out with respect, discretion and a human-centered approach to those affected, by the Mental Health Services of OKYPY and the Social Welfare Services.
• Financial assistance was provided to cover emergency, basic or specialized needs to 189 families.
• Social and psychological support, in cooperation with Presidents of Community Councils and other competent services, continues.
5. Full restoration of the damage to the properties of the victims. For houses that are not insured and have suffered a complete destruction, financial support will be granted for full restoration, at current market prices.
In case they have been damaged and need repair, an assessment will be made based on an updated price table that approximates market prices. For those homes that have insurance, the deductible amount will be paid immediately.
Licensed residences: • 25% upon application. • 25% upon presentation of a statement by a designer. • 50% upon completion of 50% of the work
Unlicensed dwellings: • Within a Residential Zone: By applying for a permit; which, if approved, the above instalments apply. • Outside the Residential Zone: With the submission of a permit application by derogation, a one-time financial aid of 25% of the estimated damage • 736 cases have been recorded: o 575 houses, o 100 warehouses, o 61 that did not concern premises
• From residences: o 305 permanent residences (101 completely and 204 partially), o 104 holiday (51 completely and 53 partially), o 28 rented, o 96 listed, o 25 abandoned • The examination of these applications has been completed.
• In addition to the 736 cases, 134 cases were submitted late and examined by the Commission. In the coming days, the lump sum will be given for those cases that fall under the criteria.
6. Exemptions of rents/rents of Turkish Cypriot properties. Suspension of rent paid for one year from 1/8/2025
7. Restoration of Turkish Cypriot properties. The repair of the Turkish Cypriot houses will be undertaken by the Ministry of Interior.
8. Exemption of annual community fees/rents/rents/licenses and taxes from permanent residents and businesses. The total amount will be paid by the Government to the communities.
9. Reissue of travel documents. The reissue of travel documents is free of charge.
10. Environmental restoration of the area.
Waste management: • Cooperation with licensed units for the receipt and management of waste was established. • From 15 communities the waste has been removed by skip, hook and trucks and transported to licensed facilities for treatment. 272 skip, 22 hooks and 57 trucks from a total of 17 communities have been evacuated from communities and moved to licensed facilities. • For the purposes of managing the pruning resulting from the fire, the Department of the Environment informed the local authorities about the possibility of providing a shredder for on-site pruning management. • A need arose in 3 communities (Agios Ambrosios, Vouni and Agios Therapon) for asbestos-containing waste management. Guidelines were given for handling. • Financial support was granted for ploughing fire-affected plots within residential areas.
Taking immediate measures to compensate and reactivate the farmers affected by the catastrophic fires
1. Immediate assistance to farmers
• The aim is to continue to be active in the primary sector.
• Immediate granting of compensation which will concern 100% loss of income for a period of one year, to all farmers and livestock breeders in the affected area.
• For crops, sheep, goats and hives.
2. Extraordinary special Plan for the reactivation, restoration of infrastructure and mechanical equipment for professionals and non-professionals, farmers and livestock breeders
• The Plan provides for the payment of compensation at a rate of up to 80%, including the aid that will be given as Minor Aid, for those who wish to reactivate and take actions to repair the damage suffered by the fire.
• Upon submission and evaluation of their application, they will be paid 30% of the total eligible aid, as an advance payment and will be paid the remaining amount, up to 80% of the total eligible aid gradually, upon completion of the actions
3. Investment Plan for the affected farmers who do not fall under the Extraordinary Special Plan
• It concerns the restoration of affected assets to non-beneficiaries of the extraordinary special plan. It provides for the payment of aid at a rate of up to 65% of the eligible costs, including the aid that will be given as de minimis aid
• Upon submission and evaluation of their application, they will be paid 30% of the total eligible aid, as an advance payment and the remaining amount up to 65% of the total eligible aid will be paid gradually, upon completion of the actions.
4. Restoration of water supply. The restoration works of the water supply have been completed.
5. Flood protection projects
• About 60 points have been identified in the streams of the fire-affected area where flood protection works are required.
• The works started at the beginning of September, with the most dangerous points to be completed at the end of October.
• For the rest, priority will be observed depending on the risk.
6. Sponsorship Scheme for the supply of generators by Communities. A sponsorship scheme has been announced which includes 100% financing of generators for water supply purposes in the fire-affected Communities as well as in their Irrigation Departments. • 39 Communities have been approved with a budget of €500,600.
7. Areas at risk for rainfall that may affect the road network
• Hazardous areas for rockfalls that may affect the road network were evaluated and indicated, and suggestions were made to the competent departments for containment and protection measures (depending on the responsibility of managing the road network). The required projects have been completed.
8. Management of wild vegetation and restoration. • All tree plantings will take place within the planting season (November – February) depending on the weather conditions.
• The visits to identify suitable planting sites were completed, the spatial data were processed and a map was prepared with the proposed planting sites per community, as well as an estimate of the number of plants that will be needed. The available satellite data from CUT-ERATOSTHENI were also used for the evaluation
9. Wildlife Management
• Repair and feeding of artificial drinking troughs damaged during the fire.
• Installation of new artificial watering troughs with the voluntary action of the Cyprus Hunting & Wildlife Conservation Federation and local hunting associations
• Placement of food for wildlife in various places (near the artificial watering troughs that have been repaired or installed).
10. Electricity restoration.
• 1209 burnt piles have been replaced
• 69 Transformers that were destroyed have been replaced
• Construction of 100 km of overhead network to replace burnt pipelines
11. Coverage of EAC electricity bill amount
• All residential and business customers of the EAC, whose premises connected to the Network have been affected, without the need for any action on their part, will be covered the amount of the electricity bill of up to €500, with the only condition that they are registered in the list prepared by the competent Local Government Authority as affected
• Electricity was not cut off until the end of September 2025, to all EAC customers in the affected areas, including those with arrears.
Support for tourist accommodation within traditional buildings located in the area affected by the fire
1. One-time aid of €1000/bed for all tourist accommodation, within traditional buildings, which are registered in the relevant Register of the Deputy Ministry of Tourism
• The payment of a grant to a total of 27 beneficiary companies has been completed, with a total expenditure of €136,000
2. Payment of a one-time financial aid of 40% of turnover in tourist accommodation, within traditional buildings, as well as self-catering accommodation registered in the relevant Register of the Deputy Ministry of Tourism
• Completion of payments at the end of November 2025 • Grants of €57,000 have been paid. • Domestic Tourism Plan to boost demand in the affected areas of the Limassol District.
Financial support for the restoration of damaged vehicles and machinery
• Compensation has already been paid to the applicants who accepted the compensation proposal
Support for farmers and anti-flood projects
The implementation of the decisions of the Council of Ministers, with total appropriations reaching €23.5 million, is in full swing under the coordination of the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment.
Financial support for farmers was the first priority. According to official data, by October 30, the amount of €3,253,200 was paid to 1,313 beneficiaries to cover the loss of income.
At the same time, two major investment plans are running:
Special Subsidized Accommodation Scheme
A domestic tourism plan is being implemented in the communities of the Limassol District affected by the catastrophic fire of July 23, 2025, as part of the overall support measures that have been implemented for the affected areas.
The Scheme of the Deputy Ministry of Tourism will be valid from 1/1/2026 to 30/6/2026 and is aimed at permanent residents of the Republic of Cyprus, with the aim of increasing overnight stays, strengthening tourist traffic to the affected communities and supporting local economic activity.
The aid will be provided in the form of subsidized accommodation in hotels and tourist accommodation operating in traditional buildings within the affected areas. The minimum length of stay is set at two nights and the maximum at seven.
The Deputy Ministry will compile a list of the participating accommodations and their declared prices, so that interested citizens have transparent and easy access to their information and options.
The total budget of the Plan amounts to €200,000 and is estimated to contribute substantially: • to the strengthening of local hospitality businesses, • to the maintenance and strengthening of employment in the affected areas, • as well as to the restoration of the tourist image of communities as safe and attractive destinations.
The implementation of the Plan is part of the Government's targeted interventions to strengthen the resilience of local communities, revitalize their economic activity and actively support residents and businesses affected by natural disasters.
Reactivation Plan: With a grant of up to 80% for professionals and non-professionals
The evaluation process of the 1,141 applications was completed in October and 957 producers are already holding the findings in their hands. By December 5, advance payments of €1.9 million are expected to be made. to 520 affected, giving the necessary "breath" for the reconstruction of their infrastructure.
The Water Development Department (WDD) moved quickly, fully restoring the water supply to the communities at a cost of €285,720.
Particular emphasis was placed on energy autonomy, with the "Generator Plan". Nine fire-affected communities have already joined the program (with a 100% subsidy) to ensure that in a future crisis, the pumping stations will remain operational. At the same time, Phase A of the flood protection works (gabions and terraces) was completed in November, while Phase B is expected to start after the first heavy rainfalls, following an assessment of the water flow.
The ecological disaster is incalculable: 20.14 square kilometers of Natura areas were reduced to ashes, with the Limnati Valley being hit the hardest (38.4% of its area).
The Department of Environment, with a fund of €500,000, coordinates the cleaning of the areas. To date, 17 communities have removed tons of waste (iron, plastics, electrical appliances), while special attention has been paid to asbestos in Vouni and Agios Ambrosios, where hazardous materials have already been safely removed.
The Department of Forests has prepared an ambitious three-year plan (2025-2028) amounting to €686,645. The goal is to plant 10,617 seedlings in community spaces. Within the next two months (planting season), each community will receive 500 trees for free distribution to its citizens.
Finally, the Geological Survey Department scanned 110 km. road network, identifying 60 dangerous points for rockfalls. The interventions are targeted, such as on the Silikos-Lofou road, while the evaluation of the 356 km continues. dirt roads leading to individual houses and sheepfolds. The government remains on alert for the second wave of compensation (30% advance payments) and the start of Phase B of flood protection projects with the arrival of winter.
Reactivation and restoration of infrastructure
1. Compensation for raw materials, goods, supplies that have been destroyed by fire or due to the interruption of electricity.
• Support measures for reactivation, restoration of equipment of small businesses and compensation of raw materials/goods/supplies that have been destroyed by fire or due to the interruption of electricity.
• A first amount of €3,000 in advance was given immediately, after confirming the details of the beneficiaries.
2. Provision of financial support to businesses in the context of the restoration of the affected mechanical equipment. With the aim of reactivating businesses
• Measures for the reactivation and restoration of mechanical equipment of small businesses
• The support is given in a flexible way, so that businesses can receive the aid in instalments (e.g. advance payment, interim and final payment), thus facilitating the restoration of damages.
• It is expected to be completed within the next few days.
3. Monthly compensation, for three months, until 31.10.2025 of all employees and self-employed persons whose businesses have been affected and cannot operate
• Coverage of the salary of employees (self-employed and employees) who are unable to work due to the disaster in the premises and/or means of their professional activity, valid until October 31, 2025.
• In addition, coverage for each employee of the corresponding contributions of all parties to the Funds managed by the Social Insurance Services.
• The payment process to the beneficiaries has been completed
• Financial support was paid to 22 employers/companies for 60 employees and to 29 self-employed
