The platform for the 1st aid was opened – Housing assistance up to 150,000 euros – Mitsotakis autopsy in Penteli – Protest gathering
State aid measures for those affected by the August 11 fires in northeastern Attica and a 10-point plan for the following day were presented at a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in Penteli.
In particular:
- Cleanups have already begun in the context of the anti-nero program and the emergency grant of the Ministry. Internal to the fire-affected municipalities of all public spaces (parks, groves, roads, pedestrian paths) within the settlements invaded by the fire.
- As of today, Tuesday, 20/8/2024, the platform has been opened for the submission of first aid declarations by citizens and businesses that have suffered damage to homes and businesses.
- The Ministry of Environment and Energy in collaboration with the municipalities will announce the details by the end of August of the special program “green my garden – green Penteli” for the immediate cleaning and regeneration of private gardens that have been burnt, with fast track procedures in collaboration with the forestry services.
- The government is proceeding with the preparation and presentation by the end of September of a special plan, with the aim of: (a) restoring the forest ecosystems affected by the recent fire, accordingly updating the important study project that already exists for Mount Pentelikos, (b) for the protection of the forest ecosystems and the urban fabric of Attica from the spread of fires and penetration into the urban fabric through streams (with the cooperation of forestry services and Local Government) and (c) the restoration of the biodiversity of Attica through a special Action Program to be drawn up by OFYPEKA in collaboration with forest services, civil society actors and voluntary organisations.
- At the same time, reforestation of 58,340 acres in Attica through the Antinero program is already being contracted with resources from the TAA and implementation bodies Taiped and the forestry services.
- Comprehensive management studies for all the forests and mountainous areas of Attica, with a total area of 1.4 million hectares, are being implemented and will be presented in the coming weeks. Then based on these studies, based on the recently passed law on forest reform, for the first time in many decades the active management of the forests of Attica (in principle) is assigned to Forestry Cooperatives or hybrid schemes (YSCHI) with the participation and forestry cooperatives, after relevant tenders. The work of cleaning, thinning, maintenance of roads and fire zones, etc. are implemented by the contractors with the help of a subsidy of the removed excess biomass that will be used productively.
- Fire prevention studies are being prepared for the entire country with a total area of 42 million hectares.
- For the first time, Local Urban Development Plans are being drawn up in the context of the K. Doxiadis reform, which incorporate special provisions for the protection of residential areas adjacent to forests from the risks of the climate crisis and fires.
- In total, more than 2.1 billion euros are available for the upgrade of civil protection systems and infrastructures and approximately 1 billion euros from national and community resources for the protection and management of our forests.
- In anticipation of the next fire season, the policy and platform for land clearances is being upgraded and strengthened with additional monitoring tools, audit and penalty capabilities.
1. GDAEFK autopsies – Phase I
The autopsies were carried out in 9 municipalities of Attica, Megara, Marathon, Vrilissi, Pallini, Oropou, Penteli, Rafina, Dionysos and Chalandrio
In total, 312 autopsies were performed in buildings: of which 264 were in residences, 39 in warehouses, 3 in public buildings and 6 in business premises. Of the 264 residences:
- 110 homes suitable for use (“green”)
- 97 houses temporarily unfit for use (“yellow”)
- 57 houses unsuitable for use – to be demolished (“red”)
2. First Aid – arogi.gov.gr
First Aid Platform – Opened on 20/08/2024
1. First aid against housing assistance for buildings (Β’ 4743/19.8.2024)
- 5,000 euros for temporarily unusable buildings (“yellow”)
- 10,000 euros for buildings unsuitable for use (“red”)
2. First aid against state aid to businesses (B’ 4744/19.8.2024)
- 2,000 euros for medium-sized damages
- 4,000 euros for large damages
3. First aid against state aid to agricultural holdings (B’
4744/19.8.2024)
- 2,000 euros for medium-sized damages
- 4,000 euros for large damages
3. Housing assistance & household support
1. The main features of the housing assistance framework through GDAEFK are:
- Free government aid (80%) and an interest-free loan (20%) are granted with the guarantee of the Greek State.
- It is granted to the owners of the buildings and up to the maximum limit of 150 sq.m.
- Granted to main or non-main residence.
- It is granted with a maximum limit of 150,000 euros.
2. The main features of the coverage framework for household appliances and/or basic needs through the Municipality are:
- An aid of 600 euros is granted for the first needs of a household whose main residence is affected (increased for cases of multiple children and the disabled).
- Assistance of up to 6,000 euros is granted to cover household goods or for the first repair needs.
4. State aid to businesses & agricultural holdings
1. The main characteristics of state aid to businesses are:
- State aid amounts to 70% of the estimated damage.
- The maximum grant limit per company is 500,000 euros.
- The autopsies and assessments are done by the State Aid Committees of the Region.
- The process of autopsies in enterprises is almost complete: 34 cases.
2. The main features of state aid to farmers are:
- State aid covers all damages to equipment, machinery, goods and other fixed assets.
- The initial application is submitted to the correspondent of ELGA – as are the declarations for plant and animal capital – and the autopsies and assessments are carried out by the State Aid Committees of the Region with the participation of ELGA.
* Greenhouses are included in the relevant institutional framework.
5. Suspension of obligations for those affected
1. Suspension of payment of tax obligations
- The YA was published (B’ 4738/19.8.2024) with a validity of 6 months and data is sent to the tax administration for process automation.
2. Three-year exemption from ENFIA
3. Regulation and suspension of insurance contributions
- YA was published (Β’ 4746/19.8.2024) with a validity of 6 months and data is being sent.
4. Suspension of employment contracts and subsidy to employees (€534)
- The Public Order (B’ 4739/16.8.2024) was published, the ERGANI information system was opened and data is sent.
5. Suspension of enforcement actions
- Today the relevant YA is published with a validity of 6 months.
6. Temporary accommodation
1. Rent or cohabitation subsidy
A rent or cohabitation subsidy is provided to cover temporary housing costs. The features are:
- Monthly subsidy from 300 euros to 500 euros.
- Subsidy time horizon of 2 years for owners.
- Subsidy time horizon of 6 months for tenants.
2. Provision of cottages
- It is possible to grant, in cooperation with the Municipality, small houses for temporary accommodation.
3. Temporary residence
- The DG of Civil Protection accommodated 650 citizens in hotels during the first days, while the Municipalities in special cases can host affected people in the short term.
7. Emergency OTA grant
1. Ministry of Interior
The Ministry of the Interior has already proceeded with the emergency financing of the nine Municipalities of Attica affected by the fires of August 11, 2024, amounting to 5.2 million euros, for the restoration of the damage to public infrastructure caused by the fires.
2. Government Commission for State Aid
Municipalities have the possibility, following the maturation of the recording of their damage to infrastructures and their other needs, to submit a relevant request for further funding from the Special Program for Natural Disasters within the framework of the Governmental Committee for State Aid.
See detailed measures here
See the assessment and restoration planning of the forest environment here.
Protest gathering outside the town hall
At the same time that the meeting was taking place outside the old Penteli town hall, northern Athens bodies and officials of the Socialist Labor Party had gathered and were holding a protest rally shouting slogans against the government.
Mitsotakis autopsy on the burned areas of Penteli before the meeting on the fire-affected areas
Before the meeting at the Penteli Municipal Store, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis visited the closed gymnasium of the Nea Penteli High School, which was damaged by the fire in northeastern Attica, where he was welcomed by the Minister of Infrastructure and Transport Christos Staikouras, the Mayor of Penteli Natassa Kosmopoulou and the Principal of the school. The representative of GEK – Terna, who has undertaken the restoration at his own expense, presented them with the plan and reconstruction plan of the gymnasium. It is expected to be completed within 6 months. Any other damage suffered by the school complexes of the Municipality of Penteli will be repaired by the start of the school year. Afterwards, the Prime Minister, accompanied by the Mayor, also visited the Holy Monastery of Penteli where he was welcomed by the abbot, while outside Moni, together with the Minister of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Vassilis Kikilia, he spoke with the ranks of the Fire Department and the volunteer firefighters who they are there. Finally with the mayor she went to the premises of the National Observatory of Athens where the President of the Observatory Prof. Manolis Pleionis, the Vice President Dr. Spyros Vasilakos and the Head of the Research Support Directorate Dr. Thanasis Marousis was welcomed at the facilities of the Observatory.
Mr. Pleionis informed the Prime Minister about the fire prevention measures taken by the Observatory, which played a decisive role in preventing its facilities from being damaged.
Source: Skai
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