Civil Defence to train staff in seismic disaster management through new cross-border project

Cyprus is set to enhance its earthquake preparedness with specialised rescue and coordination vehicles, as well as advanced equipment, funded through the €2.5 million cross-border “Epicentres” project with Greece under the Interreg VI-A Greece-Cyprus 2021-2027 Programme. The initiative aims to improve disaster risk prevention, climate change adaptation, and rapid response during seismic events.

The Civil Defence Force will acquire a mobile command vehicle with advanced systems, enabling operations even if telecommunications fail. The project also includes three specialised workshops on earthquake disaster management, training personnel from Cyprus and Greece, who will later act as trainers in Cyprus and Crete. The training focuses on coordination, rubble rescue, first aid, and strengthening the psychological resilience of emergency staff.

Officials emphasized the importance of the project due to Cyprus’s location in a highly seismically active region. The programme strengthens both local operational capacity and cross-border cooperation, improving readiness for future earthquakes and supporting the government’s broader goal of upgrading the civil protection sector.