The Cyprus government on Wednesday opened a €10 million account to provide financial assistance to the victims of the deadly wildfires in Athens that has claimed over 80 lives.
Cabinet approved the fund on Wednesday following the recommendation of President Nicos Anastasiades.
Greek rescue crews Wednesday continued to search the seaside areas northeast of Athens that were the worst affected by wildfires to locate any further victims, as the official death toll rose to 80.
Government Spokesman Prodromos Prodromou said that in the face of the massive destruction caused by the fires, Cyprus expresses its “deep sorrow and condolences, hopes for the missing to be found and wishes for the swift recovery of the injured.
The cabinet agreed on the financial aid package to show the feeling of solidarity among Cypriots.
A special account of Treasury Department has opened at the Central Bank of Cyprus as well as commercial banks for people to make donations.
In the special account the government will deposit a contribution of €10 mln while others can donate money to the Greece fire relief fund as well at local banks.
"The business world and the wider public who want to contribute, are invited to make a financial donation to these accounts, details of which will be given in the future," said Prodromou.
He added: "Any groups and organizations that want to organise events for the collection of financial assistance for victims are encouraged to do so."
The total amount collected will be allocated to specific projects – after consulting the Greek government – to help the fire victims and support them.
According to the mayor of Rafina-Pikermi, Evangelos Bournous, more than 1,500 homes were destroyed in the fires. As for the damage to forestland, it is estimated to be more than 2,100 hectares.
The tragedy reignited discussion about the widespread practice of illegal construction on forestland and along the coastline.
Supreme Court prosecutor Xeni Dimitriou ordered a probe into the causes of the blazes amid indications that the state response to the emergency had been slow and that no evacuation plan for such a situation had been in place.
