The European Parliament's Committee on Budgets clears a massive solidarity fund package for Cyprus to help restore the infrastructure shattered by the devastating 2025 wildfires.

Cyprus is set to receive €9.21 million in financial assistance from the European Union Solidarity Fund (EUSF) to help address the consequences of the major wildfires that struck the island in 2025. According to a press release issued by the European Parliament, members of the Committee on Budgets (BUDG) on Tuesday approved the mobilisation of a total of €144.1 million from the EU Solidarity Fund to support Cyprus, Romania and Spain in the aftermath of severe natural disasters that occurred in 2025. More specifically, BUDG members approved the allocation of €9.21 million to Cyprus for the 2025 wildfires, €14.34 million to Romania for flooding, and €120.55 million to Spain for the devastating wildfires that affected the country. According to the European Parliament, the proposal was adopted by the Committee on Budgets with 31 votes in favour, no votes against and no abstentions.

The press release recalled that Cyprus had already received an advance payment of €2.3 million to cover immediate recovery and restoration needs following the wildfires, while Spain had received a €30 million advance payment. The final amounts were calculated by the European Commission on the basis of the damage reported by the affected countries, in accordance with the Fund’s rules and the resources available.

The two major wildfires that broke out in Cyprus in July 2025 affected the districts of Limassol and Paphos, displacing thousands of residents, claiming two lives and destroying nearly 900 private properties. In addition, education and healthcare services in the affected areas were significantly disrupted.

According to the European Parliament, the mobilisation of the EUSF must be approved by both the Parliament’s plenary and the Council of the European Union. The relevant vote in plenary is expected to take place in July 2026, and once final approval has been granted, the financial assistance will be disbursed to the beneficiary countries in a single lump-sum payment.

Polish member of the European Parliament, Bogdan Rzońca, from ECR political group, is the rapporteur of the report, while on behalf of the EPP Democratic Rally MEP, Michalis Hadjipantela, is the shadow rapporteur.

Source: CNA(ΚΥΠΕ)