The devastating fires in Cyprus are not only destroying forests and villages; they are also destroying citizens’ trust in the State. From Arakama in 2021 to Mountainous Limassol in 2025, the same question returns:

Where does the money collected for the fire victims go?

According to Alphanews.com, by September 1, 2025, approximately 1.5 million euros had been collected in the special account opened by the government to support the fire victims. The largest donation exceeded 100,000 euros. However, the government has not yet clarified which project this money will be allocated to. All it promises is that this time it will go to a “specific project.”

But how many times have we heard similar general promises before?

The previous one of 2021 – The fire in Arakama

In the summer of 2021, the deadly fire in Arakama left behind tens of thousands of acres of burned land, villages destroyed and people homeless. Citizens showed solidarity, collecting over 1 million euros in the same account.

And yet, according to the Accountant General, this money was spent on agricultural subsidies and “damages” (source: Alphanews.com). In other words, instead of supporting families who lost everything, citizens’ donations were used to strengthen the agricultural sector.

👉 Can such a use be justified?

👉 How ethical is it to ask people to help fire victims and ultimately cover holes in other funds?

2025: The new tragedy in the Limassol Mountains

This year's fires in the Limassol Mountains destroyed tens of thousands of hectares of land and 73 houses in Sounios-Zanatzias. Residents are still living in temporary shelters, while winter approaches with the fear of floods and landslides.

And while the need for substantial support is more urgent than ever, the 1.5 million euros remain "parked" in the account. The government promises future decisions, but to date nothing has been officially announced.

Statements that raise more questions

The phrase told to Alpha and recorded on Alphanews.com is indicative:

"The government's intentions are different. It is not to complete the plans it has announced but to create a specific project, which will be a contribution from the public. And that’s why the government didn’t ask for a single cent from the citizens.”

And here reasonable questions arise:

What does “specific project” mean? Fire prevention? Flood protection? House restoration? Or something vague?

Who decides on the allocation of the money? Is there a committee or is it a government decision behind closed doors?

What do they mean by “public contribution”? Citizens gave money for the fire victims, not for a project with the government’s stamp of approval.

And the most incomprehensible: How can they say that “they didn’t ask for a single cent from the citizens,” when citizens themselves put their hands in their pockets and collected 1.5 million euros?

Burning questions that await answers

Why did the 2021 money go to agricultural subsidies?

What exactly does “specific project” mean?

Who decides where the money will go?

Where is the transparency? Will a list of donors and a detailed statement of expenses be published?

Are “24-hour payments” real? Why haven’t the residents of the burned villages seen a single cent?

Comparisons and examples

In Solea (2016), compensation was delayed for months, leaving the residents to fend for themselves.

In Greece (Mati 2018), the money collected through donations remained “frozen” in a special fund for years, resulting in fire victims feeling abandoned.

In Portugal (2017), donations were immediately used for house restoration and prevention projects, resulting in limited societal reactions.

👉 Why is Cyprus lagging behind?

The bottom line

Cyprus does not have a problem due to a lack of solidarity. It has a problem due to a lack of transparency and political will. Citizens have proven time and again that they are ready to support the fire victims. The state, however, shows that it is unable to manage the money collected with clarity and justice.

Conclusion

The question is simple but crucial:

Does the money we give to the fire victims of Limassol and Cyprus go to those who really need it for the exact purpose for which it was given, or does it go to waste?

If someone —a citizen, an official, an expert— clearly understands what the phrase “the government did not ask for a single cent from the citizens” means, let them explain it publicly.

Because for ordinary people, who saw their homes turn to ashes and gave from their savings to help, this statement sounds like irony.

📌 To you. Republishing is for informational purposes, with full reference to the original source. fothkia.com does not claim copyright on the original text. The views and analyses accompanying the article are comments and opinions of our editorial team.

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🔥 Fires in Cyprus 2021–2025: Where did the money go for the fire victims in Limassol?

📌 Source: Alphanews.com