The European Union will give an advance payment of €2.3 million to Cyprus. This is to help recover from the serious fires in Limassol and Paphos in July 2025.
Cyprus submitted its application on October 14, right on time. The funds will support emergency operations, infrastructure, housing, and restoration, as stated by Raffaele Fitto, the Executive Vice President of the European Commission for Regional Policy.
Cyprus has received help from the Solidarity Fund twice before: in 2008 for drought and in 2016 for fires and drought. However, the application for the 2021 fire was turned down.
The Deputy Minister for European Affairs, Marilena Raouna, said this decision shows the government’s quick and well-prepared response. She also mentioned that all state resources were quickly activated to help those affected. According to the EU Solidarity Fund (EUSF) rules, the application will be reviewed within six weeks for approval. The final decision on aid is made by the European Parliament and Council througha supplementary budget. There is also a chance for an advance payment of up to 25% of the requested amount, just like in Cyprus’s case.
