Village rebuilding team returns to Cyprus

THE FIVE-MEMBER team of Cypriot experts visiting Greece for the last week to evaluate the government’s plan to rebuild Artemida village after last month’s devastating fires yesterday returned to Cyprus.

Speaking to reporters on her return, team leader Athina Aristotelous said 75 per cent of homes in the village had been destroyed, as well as vast areas of lush forest plains.
“The team went through an emotional time there, not just because of the vast amount of land that was reduced to ash but also for the homes,” she said.
“Only walls are left. Also, the residents’ barns, which are imperative for their farming, have also been destroyed.”

The team was made up of architects, mechanics, town-planning officials, contractors and representatives of the Agriculture Ministry specialising in veterinary matters.
“We have already recorded everything there and noted the information we need so we can inform the ministerial committee that will make the decisions accordingly as to how to move on.”

Asked if the team could be dispatched to another village in Greece, Aristotelous said, “The committee, along with the President, will decide if we need to rebuild another village.”

The wildfires in Greece caused massive devastation and claimed the lives of 64 people.

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