Fire victims fund launched
The Environment Ministry unveiled yesterday a 150-million-euro program aimed at financing the reconstruction of homes destroyed during the summer’s devastating fires. The scheme will cover the cost of repair work to be completed on some 1,500 buildings and the reconstruction of another 2,100. The government has decided funds will be given directly to the 1,900 families likely to be eligible for the benefits rather than financing a single tender deal for the reconstruction process. Fires in parts of southern and central Greece killed 67 people over the summer in the worst fires to hit the country. According to initial government estimates, a total of 847 homes in eight prefectures were completely destroyed in the fires with another 672 homes having been partially damaged. Those eligible for the government grant will have a year to apply for the money.
