Five support measures for fire victims in Attica

Five relief measures for fire victims in Attica and Boeotia were announced following the catastrophic fires of late July, spearheaded by a three-month suspension of employment contracts accompanied by a 534-euro allowance for employees of affected businesses. Also provided is a six-month suspension, with possibility of installments, of tax and social insurance obligations for businesses and households in affected areas, as well as a moratorium on foreclosures for twelve months. The 534-euro allowance and the six-month suspension of contributions had been pre-announced by Deputy Labor Minister Kostas Karakounis. The package adds to what had been discussed at the inter-ministerial meeting at Maximos Mansion on compensation and repair coverage.

In parallel, the State Aid mechanism was activated, which functions as the basic tool for immediate relief. It provides a 600-euro allowance for covering immediate needs, up to 6,000 euros for repairs or replacement of household items, rent subsidy of up to 500 euros a month for those left homeless, and housing assistance for reconstruction, with funding reaching 1,000 euros per square meter. These amounts are directly linked to the on-site inspections already underway, as the classification of each building determines the level of assistance; the initial inspections and housing assistance procedure began a few days after extinguishment.

The fifth component concerns specifically the coastal areas that lost their season in mid-summer. For Porto Germeno, Psatha and Alepochori, a special tourist ‘pass’ program was announced to boost tourism, while businesses in the same areas are included in a program titled ‘My Business Support’. The extension of measures to Psatha and Alepochori, beyond Porto Germeno, was decided following discussion with mayors of affected areas, who had pointed out that economic damage is not limited to burned buildings but extends to cancellations of bookings and collapse of activity in restaurants and rental accommodations.

The critical question remains the timeline for implementation. As of the morning of Thursday August 6, no joint ministerial decision or government gazette had been published, meaning these are announcements pending conversion into statutory instrument with specific criteria, deadlines and beneficiaries. Until then it is not known exactly who is covered by the three-month contract suspension nor how affected zones will be geographically defined. At the political level, the KKE issued harsh criticism, speaking of a “provocative attempt to present destruction from wildfires as success,” while a delegation from the Greek Left Alliance that visited affected areas focused its accusations on inadequate prevention and delays in state response. Residents of Western Attica, though, will judge the measures by the speed with which amounts reach their accounts before the summer season closes.