President apologises for the handling of Limassol fires, announces government aid to those affected

The President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides, in a televised address to the people of Cyprus, on the evening of Sunday, 17 July, following the devastating fires in Limassol, apologised on behalf of the state, saying that at a critical moment like this, the government did not respond as it should have, announcing 12 immediate actions by the Government to support those affected.

He said that we need to examine what did not work, why it did not work, and take any necessary corrective measures, noting that he has already given instructions for all involved Departments to submit full assessment reports of their role and involvement in managing the fires by the end of the week. He added that these reports, in the interest of transparency, will be made public, and based on them, subsequent steps will be decided.

In his address President Christodoulides said he held a meeting at the Presidential residence in Troodos with the Presidents of the community councils directly impacted by the fires, in the presence of the relevant Ministers and the Commissioner for the Development of Mountain Communities.

During the meeting, after listening to their own assessments and personal testimonies about what happened and where weaknesses were identified, he said "we agreed on the immediate actions of the government to support those affected. We will be by everyone's side. Together we will get through this ordeal," he underlined

He urged the people to judge the government strictly, as befits a democracy that aims to and can become better, but at the same time spoke about unity so that we can progress and make improvements. 

"A difficult moment for our homeland"

In his speech, he said, "I am communicating directly with you in a difficult moment for our homeland, after the ordeal we experienced — the devastating fires in the mountainous region of Limassol, which resulted in the tragic loss of two fellow citizens, injuries, destruction of property, arable land, livestock facilities, loss of animals, and serious environmental impacts."

Expressing his deepest sorrow for our fellow citizens who were so tragically lost and his sincere condolences to their loved ones, he said that he personally witnessed "from the very first moment the extraordinary efforts, under the most difficult conditions, of professionals and volunteers to confront the raging inferno, to prevent further spread, with the primary concern of saving human lives. That is why I want to thank all those who went above and beyond, the firefighters, forestry firefighters, community leaders, volunteers, police, state and other services, members of the National Guard, Civil Defence, but also the people within the communities, for addressing the many fronts, in many cases putting their own lives at risk," he said.

At the same time, he noted, "the outcome requires improvement of the system's weaknesses and the relevant mechanisms so that we can respond to such critical incidents. And this, despite the fact that, among other things, we proceeded to increase the personnel of firefighters and forestry firefighters, secured the maximum number of aerial assets, made penalties stricter and transferred the aerial assets to the National Guard. So we need to see what didn't work, why it didn't work, and make any necessary corrective moves."

As a state, he said, "we must identify all the gaps, omissions, and acknowledge that, in a critical moment like this, we did not respond as we should have. On behalf of the state, I apologise," the President stressed.

He said he has already given instructions for all involved departments to submit full assessment reports of their role and involvement in managing the fires by the end of the week. These reports, he added, will be made public in the interest of transparency.

Based on these reports, he said, subsequent steps will be decided, and "we need to see exactly what we need to change to be faster and more effective because, unfortunately, these phenomena, a consequence of climate change, will not vanish."

Meeting with Council Presidents

President Christodoulides announced that he met earlier on Sunday with the Presidents of the Councils of the directly affected communities, in the presence of the competent Ministers and the Commissioner for the Development of Mountain Communities, and that "during the meeting, after listening to their own assessments and personal testimonies about what happened and where weaknesses were identified, we agreed on the immediate actions of the government to support those affected. We will be by everyone's side. Together we will get through this ordeal," he pledged.

Specifically, the President announced the immediate payment of financial support to the community councils to cover emergency needs. The amounts were already paid last Friday, and additional needs will be covered in consultation with the communities, he said.

He also announced the temporary housing of those affected and the coverage of immediate basic needs, as well as psychological support, in consultation and cooperation with the community leaders, as well as rent subsidies for those whose homes have become uninhabitable, for as long as required.

President Christodoulides referred to the full repair of the properties of those affected. He explained that for residences that are not insured and have suffered complete destruction, financial support will be provided for full restoration, at current market prices.

For the homes that suffered damages and need repairs, an assessment will be made based on an updated price list that approximates market prices. For those homes that have insurance, the deductible amount will be paid immediately. "I emphasise that in order to make the payment as soon as possible, the presentation of receipts for the payment of financial support will not be necessary," he clarified.

Immediate compensation for impacted farmers and livestock breeders

He also announced immediate compensation, which will cover 100% of income loss for a period of one year, to all farmers and livestock breeders in the affected areas, as well as a plan for the reactivation, restoration of infrastructure and machinery for professionals and non-professionals, farmers and livestock breeders, and a plan for the reactivation, restoration of infrastructure and machinery for small businesses.

President Christodoulides also announced a lump sum assistance to be paid in the coming days, for families whose homes have suffered total or even significant damage. Specifically, an amount of €10,000 will be given to each family whose primary residence was completely destroyed, as well as €2,000 for each dependent child, and an amount of €5,000 to each family whose primary residence suffered partial damage, as well as €1,000 for each dependent child. He said for the vulnerable/low income members of the communities, additional individualised support required will be provided.

A monthly compensation will also be provided for three months to all employees and self-employed individuals whose businesses have been affected and cannot operate.

He also announced the full restoration of the vast majority of water supply and electricity networks in the coming days, as well as the non-payment by permanent residents and businesses of the annual community fees and taxes. The total amount will be paid by the Government to the communities, he said.

Environmental restoration

President Christodoulides also announced the environmental restoration of the area.

"As President of the Republic of Cyprus, I feel the tremendous responsibility to address you directly, at this moment of great difficulty for our country," he said, adding that "our mission is to ensure that the state will live up to your expectations."

"I ask you to judge us strictly, as befits a democracy that wants and can become better. In difficult times we must be united. United to move forward, to support, to correct, to improve. United to succeed," he added.

The video, in Greek as broadcast, is below:

(Source: CNA)