Alpha News

Growing Need for Natural Disaster Response Mechanisms in Cyprus

Published January 8, 2026, 12:37

Charalambos Theopemptou, a Member of Parliament for the Greens, spoke on the Alpha Kalimera show about the tools available to the European Union in Cyprus to deal with natural disasters, especially fires. He emphasized that Cyprus, according to studies, is at the center of climate change, with predictions of reduced rainfall, high temperatures, and increased fire risk. The European Union responds immediately to requests for assistance and restoration, through programs such as rescEU, which provides a fleet of firefighting aircraft, helicopters, field hospitals, and other essential supplies. Recently, Cyprus received approval for an advance of 2.3 million euros from the European Union Solidarity Fund, to restore the devastating fires in Limassol and Paphos last July. The need to strengthen natural disaster response mechanisms is imperative, due to the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events.