Cyprus has sent the largest firefighting mission of firemen and volunteers to Greece, to combat the huge blazes that have reduced vast expanses of the country to ashes over the past few days.
A total of 137 Cypriot firemen, assisted by 12 fire engines from the island’s Fire Department, are currently in Greece, where they have joined forces with the Greek firefighters in Aliveri and Mount Seta of Euboea, Matesi in Elea, Lala area and Foloi forest near ancient Olympia in Peloponnesus.
The Cypriot firemen, along with members of Cyprus’ Civil Defence and volunteers, were trying to contain and extinguish the fires, in addition to guarding areas to prevent any rekindling of fires.
Prime Minister of Greece Costas Karamanlis has expressed gratitude for the assistance offered by other countries and admiration for their altruism in carrying out the difficult task of fighting the raging fires. He also thanked them for their solidarity with the people of Greece.
Greek Government Spokesman Theodoros Rousopoulos referred yesterday to a proposal by Cypriot President Tassos Papadopoulos to rebuild a community that was badly affected by the fires.
Rousopoulos said the villages of Artemida, Makitsos and Smerna were in a dire situation, noting that these were the communities with the most victims.
Mayor of the village of Aliveri in Greece Katerina Karapa has told Cypriot Minister of the Interior Christos Patsalides that ”Aliveri was saved thanks to the Cypriots.”
Patsalides said he had contacted Karapa to thank her for the psychological support and care the Cypriot mission received in Aliveri and expressed the undivided support of the government and people of Cyprus to the Greeks.
Opposition PASOK leader in Greece George Papandreou has contacted President Papadopoulos to thank him for Cyprus’ assistance.
Furthermore, a delegation of the Church of Cyprus flew to Greece on Tuesday to visit the affected Metropolis in Greece and be briefed by the local Metropolitan Bishops about the situation in their districts, so as to arrange for further assistance.
Cyprus’ Red Cross President Photini Papadopoulou has sent a message to her Greek counterpart Andreas Martinis, expressing sorrow for the victims of the fires in Greece.
She also announced a contribution of 10,000 pounds (1 Cyprus pound is trading at approximately 1.71 euro) for the relief of the victims of the national disaster.
The Red Cross has also announced a pancyprian collection for items such as sheets, blankets and towels to cover immediate needs of the affected people in Greece.
In Cyprus, political parties, banks, organisations and institutions have expressed grief regarding the situation in Greece and have opened bank accounts or organised collections for the relief of the victims.
