Cyprus government initiates major civil protection reform

On October 8, 2026, the Cypriot Parliamentary Committee on Interior began debating a major legislative reform aimed at restructuring the state's response to natural disasters. The proposed bills, which were initially approved by the Council of Ministers on June 4, 2025, include renaming the Ministry of Interior to the Ministry of Interior and Civil Protection.

Key components of the reform include the establishment of a National Civil Protection Mechanism and the appointment of a National Coordinator to oversee crisis management for events such as earthquakes, floods, and wildfires. The plan introduces a new General Directorate for Civil Protection and incorporates the Fire Service into the updated structure, though the Department of Forests remains outside this framework. Additionally, the legislation allows for the involvement of the National Guard in disaster relief operations, provided such deployment does not compromise the national defense capabilities of the Republic.

Minister of Interior Constantinos Ioannou is scheduled to present these proposals to the parliamentary committee to streamline inter-agency coordination. This reform represents a fundamental shift in how the Republic of Cyprus manages large-scale emergencies, moving from fragmented responses to a centralized system under the authority of the expanded ministry.