Cyprus seeks EU help for disaster relief
By Sebastian Heller
(archive article - Saturday, November 21, 2009)
THE INTERIOR Ministry has estimated the total cost of damage caused by the tornado and floods in recent months at some €2 million and said Cyprus had applied to the European Commission for assistance.
The tornado hit on September 18 in the areas of Latsia, Strovolos, Ayios Dometios, Aglandjia, Engomi, Nicosia, Lakatamia and Tseri with damage caused estimated at €1,280,000. The floods of October 27 affected the communities of Alambra, Pera Chorio-Nissou, Ayia Varvara, Dali, Geri, Lympia and Mathiati, and wreaked havoc to the tune of €821,000.
“We have asked support from the EU to confront the economic cost from the extreme weather we have experienced.” said Interior Minister Neoclis Sylikiotis.
The government has already paid out a total of approximately €125,000 in emergency help to a number of families and individuals.
“This was emergency help to cover what is immediate.” said Sylikiotis said. “From there they shall also get more, this takes longer.”
The emergency help given already was provided to those living on less than €854 per month or those with special circumstances such as health problems and dependent children.
“The cases were also examined on the basis of who had insurance and who would be compensated by their insurance companies so that we operated correctly in terms of socio-economic parameters for giving emergency help.” said Sylikiotis.
Sylikiotis congratulated the District Office of Nicosia, the Civil Defence authorities, the Technical Services of the Interior Ministry and also the personnel of the state emergency services who all responded quickly and efficiently during the recent extreme weather disasters. He said the efficiency of their response times and mutual cooperation between services meant that the experience of those affected by the disasters was not as bad as it could have been.
He added that despite the unfavourable conditions, the services of the Ministry of the Interior accomplished in eight days full estimates of the damage from the tornado and in three days the estimates of damage from the floods.
The minister went on to outline that this enabled the application to the EU for compensation to be carried out easily within the time required.
Once the funds become available the Ministry of Trade will administer compensation payments to businesses. Payments for private housing and community and municipality infrastructure will be covered by the appropriate ministry.
Copyright © Cyprus Mail 2009
Poor roc has been hit by natural disaster and as they are so very poor, I shall be opening a relief fund bank account number tomorrow morning at the Cyprus Bank of course and post it here.
Any contributions to help the poor roc with this huge debt of 2 Million would be appreciated. Just in case you TCs are worried about the distribution of these funds, they will be distributed proportionately to each side of the peace line.
Just to help you part with your hard earned cash I thought I will include a video clip.
Thank you so much!
