2. From the data recorded so far, the consequences of the fires concern damage to 98 premises, as well as damage to vehicles, agricultural machinery, equipment, generators, etc.
3. According to estimates sent by the relevant provincial administrations that the amount of damage to the communities of the Limassol District amounts to €1.207.443 about, of the Province of Larnaca in €4.051.232 about, and the Province of Paphos in €380.233 about. The total amount of losses nationwide after their inventory and assessment amounts to €5.638.908 about.
4. Due to the severity of the phenomenon and its consequences and the urgent need for immediate assistance to the victims, the Council of Ministers, adopting the proposal of the Ministry of Interior, decided to pay in favor of assistance for damage to homes and businesses using the following methodology:
a. For losses up to € 10.000, a lump sum equal to the estimated loss will be paid, with a maximum amount of € 10.000.
b. For losses from 10.000 to € 50.000, in addition to the above lump sum (€ 10.000), an additional 80% of the remaining amount of the estimated loss will be given. For example, for an estimated loss of € 50.000, a total grant of € 42.000 will be paid.
c. For losses from 50.000 to € 100.000 in addition to the aforementioned 42.000 for the sake of assistance will be granted an additional amount equal to 50% of the remaining amount of the estimated damage. That is, in the case of an estimated loss of € 100.000, a grant of € 67.000 will be paid gracefully.
d. For losses from 100.000 to € 150.000 in addition to the aforementioned for the benefit of 67.000 an additional amount equal to 30% of the remaining amount of the estimated damage will be granted. That is, in the case of an estimated loss of € 150.000, a grant of € 82.000 will be paid gracefully.
It is noted that damage to residential properties, which exceed € 150.000 will not be granted any additional amount.
e. Especially for commercial premises who have suffered losses between 150.000 and € 250.000 at the most, in addition to the aforementioned grants of 82.000, an additional amount equal to 20% of the remaining amount of the estimated damage will be granted. That is, in the event of an estimated loss of € 250.000, a grant of € 102.000 will be paid.
5. As it has become clear from the registration that there are unlicensed premises, the Council of Ministers decided as:
(a) in the case of licensed premises, which concern privately owned permanent residence and professional premises, all the aforementioned financial assistance will be given.
(b) in the case of licensed premises, which concern a rented dwelling, the part of the favor aid, which concerns the damage to equipment, will be given to its beneficiary.
(c) Although in the past the holiday homes were excluded from the provision of any financial assistance, in the case of privately owned holiday homes, 50% of the aforementioned financial assistance will be granted.
6. Taking into account the government policy for rural support and the finding that a large number of permanently owned premises, holiday homes and commercial premises, which do not have the relevant permits, and based on the need to comply with the relevant legislation, the following :
(a) In the case of premises, which could be licensed, they will be paid the above amount, provided they obtain permission from the relevant town planning authority, through the fast-track procedure of 20 days, which will exceptionally apply in these cases with the issuance of a decree of the Minister of Interior.
(b) In the case of premises, which fail to obtain a license from the relevant town planning authority, they receive 30% of the favor assistance in order to apply for a license from SYMEPA. In case of securing a license, they receive all the assistance in favor, which corresponds to them, ie the remaining 70%.
(c) In case the applicant who has already received 30% of the in-kind assistance and failed to obtain a permit from SYMEPA, but managed to obtain a permit for the construction of a premises in another plot, will receive the remaining 70% of relevant assistance, depending on the cost of the new premises, provided that licensing is achieved within the next two years.
It is noted that for the granting of the aforementioned assistance, each beneficiary can not benefit for more than one estate per category (residence and professional estate).
In addition, the Council of Ministers decided that in the event that licensing is required, the cost of the relevant rights will be added to the financial assistance, so that there is no burden on the applicant.
7. Regarding vehicle damage, financial assistance will be granted as follows:
(a) For private vehicles, which are legally registered, financial assistance equal to 50% of the estimated damage will be granted, based on the estimate of the competent services, with a maximum of € 5.000 per vehicle.
(b) For commercial vehicles / machinery provided that these are not covered by the plans of the Ministry of Agriculture will be granted 50% of the estimated damage based on the estimate of the competent services with a maximum of € 10.000 per vehicle.
It is understood that the beneficiary reserves the right to choose between the plans of the two ministries.
8. The deadline for submitting applications for financial aid is 16η July.
9. It is clarified that in the case of private insurance either in premises or in vehicles, the financial assistance provided will be equal to the assessment of the damage with a maximum amount of excess waiver of the insurance.
10. With the aim of facilitating the victims, the provision of in-kind financial assistance will be done as follows:
(a) Financial assistance will be provided for the execution of the repair and replacement of equipment, which will be undertaken by the owners of the affected premises.
(b) The methodology for granting financial assistance will be provided to applicants as follows:
i. The lump sum up to € 10.000 will be granted immediately after the signing of a relevant declaration of acceptance of the amount of the financial aid.
ii. The remaining amount will be given in two equal installments. The first installment of 50% of the favor will be given after the submission of a statement by the Designer, ie the Architect or Civil Engineer who was appointed by the owner to carry out the required work.
iii. The second installment of 50% of the charitable assistance will be given upon submission of a certificate from the project designer, which will confirm that 50% of the work has been completed.
(c) If the applicant accepts the amount of financial assistance, he will sign a relevant Responsible Declaration by which he will waive the right to file an objection.
(d) In the case of applicants who do not accept the amount of financial assistance offered, they retain the right to submit an objection to the Competent Objections Committee, which will be set up for this purpose in the relevant District Administrations and any decision of the Appeals Committee is final.
11. Based on the above criteria, it is estimated that the financial assistance to be granted will be around 6 million.
Further regarding the workers in the affected areas, the Council of Ministers, adopting the suggestion of YPEKA, decided as:
(a) Regarding them employees to employers who have been affected:
- Covering the salaries of employees, Social Security, but also other related living and housing expenses for the period July to September, a period which will be reviewed depending on the time of reactivation.
- For those employees who wish their repatriation, the repatriation expenses will be covered.
- All employment contracts for seasonal workers and employers wishing to extend them, will be given the appropriate approvals by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
(b) Especially for them Employers affected
The corresponding Social Insurance and other contributions that will be due from July to September and until the review depending on the time of reactivation will be covered by the State.
Regarding the four unfortunate young people, the President of the Republic and the Council of Ministers have once again expressed their grief and send their heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims of the fire.
As a sign of appreciation of the state and taking into account the methodology of support given to the victims of the fire in Solia, the Council of Ministers has decided:
The concession of 95.000 euros to each of the families of the four young people and in addition the payment of an amount of 30.000 for each member of their families. That is, the families of two of the four victims will receive support of 95.000 each, one family will receive 185.000 euros and one family will receive 245.000 euros.
Additionally, it was decided to grant scholarships to the children of disadvantaged young people for studies in Higher Education Institutions in Cyprus.