Stand By Cyprus

We are deeply filled with grief and our hearts are weeping for all families and people that suffered this unprecedented tragedy and we know duty is calling for us as Rotarians and Rotaractors to take action.

On Saturday 3 July, 2021 a deadly wildfire started in Arakapas, a village in Cyprus (located in the Limassol district) spreading to surrounding villages and tragically taking 4 innocent lives, destroying 50 homes, killing and injuring thousands of animals, damaging the power lines and forcing the evacuation of 10 villages leaving hundreds of people without homes.

The catastrophic wildfire, to be considered the most destructive fire since the founding of the Republic of Cyprus in 1960 in both material damage, but also unfortunately in terms of human lives burnt an area of about 55 square kilometres equivalent to around 20,000 football fields covered with forest vegetation and crops.

Thick gnarled trunks of ancient olive trees were reduced to smouldering stumps and grey ash replacing yellowed scrub as far as the eye could see.

Firefighters were successful in bringing the main fire under control on Sunday morning, while warning that strengthening winds could yet propel a resurgence. While the people that were evacuated from the affected area are currently hosted at Skarinou Center we are assessing all damages in terms of burnt homes, farmlands, power lines and any other infrastructure.

Rotary is a global network of 1.2 million neighbours, friends, leaders, and problem-solvers who see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change – across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves.

Rotaract – a member of Rotary International - is a social organisation for young professionals with a presence in 184 countries and 11,000 clubs, which share the same vision and work together to create positive change in their local communities and around the world.

We invite Rotarians, Rotaractors and friends around the world to contribute to ‘Stand By Cyprus’ Disaster Response which will be administered by Rotaract and Rotary Clubs of Cyprus for the purpose of helping those affected and repairing the infrastructure heavily damaged by the deadly wildfire.

Rotaract & Rotary Clubs of Cyprus with the support of Rotaract District 2452 are fundraising through this Disaster Response initiative to support Cyprus. The Rotary/Rotaract Cyprus Task Force who have been on the ground since the start of the disaster are assessing the needs and helping.

This fundraising campaign could have not been made without the support of Rotary Club of Nicosia. With their help, we are able to transfer the funds directly from the platform to Cyprus Rotary Administration Committee Account to be administered the Task Force.

Your contribution will go towards repair of the damaged infrastructure in the affected area. We will be updating you on a regular basis about the status of our campaign; as well as how your contributions have helped the people of Cyprus.

All our updates will be posted on our Facebook page so stay tuned and like the page. https://www.facebook.com/Stand-By-Cyprus-105426695145697

You can follow our community service closely also by following our organisation pages:

https://www.instagram.com/RotaractDistrict2452
https://www.facebook.com/RotaractCyprus

https://www.facebook.com/CyprusRotary
https://www.facebook.com/RotaractDistrict2452

Every contribution will make a difference no matter how big or small, we count on your donations to make Cyprus safe and green again.

Odou, Ora, Farmakas, Agioi Vavatsinias, Melini, Eptagonia, Dierona, Arakapas - our thoughts are with you!