“All property assessments will be completed and the ministerial boundary-setting decree for affected areas will be drafted by August 20,” stated the Minister of Civil Protection and Climate Crisis, Kostas Katsafados, speaking on Parapolitika 90.1’s morning show “Morning Flight” with journalist Tilemachos Santorinaios, as he outlined the government’s support plan for citizens affected by the wildfires.
He added that from that date onward, citizens will be able to submit the required documentation, and noted that compensation relative to assessed damages will be set at 100%. He also stated that studies are already underway to improve flood and erosion protection in the affected areas. Regarding criticism directed at the government, he said: “We find that what we’re seeing is groundless criticism — criticism that is entirely detached from reality.”
“Today we begin on-site inspections in Porto Germeno”
On the subject of state assistance for fire victims, he said: “Once a citizen submits the required documents as set out by law, all processes will move forward immediately. We have completed on-site inspections in all affected areas except Porto Germeno, where roads were closed — inspections must be carried out in the presence of the property owner so they can receive their inspection report. Today we are beginning inspections in Porto Germeno; our teams are already on the ground conducting assessments. By August 20, all assessments will be completed and the ministerial boundary-setting decree for the affected areas will be drafted, and from that date onward citizens will be notified that by submitting their application to the relevant authority, they can proceed with the repair or reconstruction of their properties. The compensation they will receive relative to assessed damages will be 100% — provided through state relief. Until last year, we were providing 80%.”
Katsafados on wildfires: “Rental assistance between €300 and €500”
Regarding support measures to cover immediate needs and compensation for household contents lost in the fires, he stated: “The disbursement of funds for these matters will be more immediate. We have coordinated with mayors so that once property inspections are completed, citizens can submit a tax return form (E1), a property declaration (E9), and a family status certificate to their local municipality. Once these documents are verified, the funds will be released and paid out to citizens. Crucially, we have designed the system so that only one on-site inspection is required rather than two. From the moment a citizen’s primary residence is deemed uninhabitable — that is, classified as yellow or red — they will be eligible to rent alternative accommodation, with the state providing financial support for rental expenses ranging from €300 to €500 depending on the size of their family.”
He added: “Our commitment is that no one should be left to face these difficult times alone, and we are working to restore normality to the affected areas. We have rolled out a wide range of measures, which is precisely why a meeting with the Prime Minister is taking place today — both to confirm all these measures and to explore whether any additional support can be offered to those affected.”
He went on to say: “Studies are already underway to improve flood and erosion defenses in these specific areas so that we are prepared ahead of winter and flood risks are minimized. This is a combined effort that looks not only to the present but also to the future. Economic measures have already been decided and announced to support business activity in the affected areas — we are not only trying to address the immediate situation but are also implementing development measures that will benefit the affected regions in the year ahead. The Fire Service and the General Secretariat for Civil Protection are adjusting their plans and strategies based on the new data emerging from these events. We are dealing with an extremely powerful and unpredictable enemy that is constantly changing, and that is why we too are continuously adapting our strategy.”
On the opposition
Regarding criticism from the opposition, he said: “Criticism helps us improve, but it must be grounded in reality. Time and again we see criticism that is completely baseless — criticism that has no factual foundation. It would be better not to level unfair criticism in the hope of gaining minor political points. The relevant investigative units of the Fire Service have been reinforced and the results are evident. We have made over 260 arrests for arson, legislation around arson has been toughened, and the fines imposed are extremely severe. What every citizen needs to understand is that personal responsibility also plays a role. Civil protection guidelines are issued daily — and they are not merely guidelines, they are directives.”
