**EU Parliament Approves €9 Million for Cyprus Wildfire Recovery**
The European Parliament has officially approved the allocation of over €9 million from the European Union Solidarity Fund to assist Cyprus in rebuilding infrastructure that was devastated by wildfires in the Limassol district last year. The decision came during a parliamentary session on Tuesday, where a significant majority of 642 Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) voted in favor of the funding, with only 13 votes against and one abstention.
All six Cypriot MEPs supported the funding measure, reflecting a unified stance on the urgent need for recovery assistance in the wake of the disaster. The approved amount totals €9.21 million, which is intended to facilitate the restoration of essential services and infrastructure that were impacted by the wildfires, which tragically resulted in the loss of two lives.
In a statement following the vote, the European Parliament highlighted that Cyprus had already received an advance payment of €2.3 million to kickstart its recovery efforts. This initial funding was aimed at addressing immediate needs, while the newly approved funds will further support emergency response measures. These measures include the restoration of critical infrastructure, clean-up operations in disaster-affected areas, and the provision of temporary accommodation and rescue services for those displaced by the wildfires.
The wildfires, which swept through the Limassol district last summer, had a devastating impact on the local population, displacing thousands and destroying more than 900 private properties. In addition to the physical destruction, the wildfires disrupted essential services such as education and healthcare, further complicating recovery efforts for the affected communities.
The approval of funds for Cyprus is part of a larger financial package that also includes €120.55 million designated for Spain, which faced several major wildfire outbreaks last year, and €14.34 million for Romania, which experienced severe flooding in May and June. Similar to Cyprus, Spain had previously received an advance payment of €30 million to aid in its recovery efforts.
The allocation of these funds underscores the European Union's commitment to supporting member states in times of crisis and natural disasters. As Cyprus embarks on its recovery journey, the financial assistance from the EU is expected to play a crucial role in restoring normalcy and rebuilding the lives of those affected by the wildfires.