Cyprus will develop a National Civil Protection Mechanism, while Civil Defence will be turned into a Civil Protection general administration, the cabinet decided on Wednesday.

Interior Minister Constantinos Ioannou said the decisions were taken on the basis of priorities set by President Nikos Christodoulides on his election in 2023 for the modernisation of the state.

The aim of Wednesday’s decision, Ioannou said, was to reform the national framework for the management of emergencies, natural disasters and man-made crises, to strengthen the response capability in disasters, and to develop cooperation among all involved parties.

“Through a holistic approach and with set and clear procedures and responsibilities, we are aiming at securing the best utilisation of operational forces of the Republic of Cyprus,” Ioannou said.

The Civil Defence, he added, would be the main coordinating arm of the mechanism and would thus be evolved into a Civil Protection general administration.

For this to happen, the force must be upgraded, restructured and modernised so that it can respond more effectively and efficiently to its increased responsibilities.

Among the new administration’s responsibilities will be crisis and risk management, monitoring crucial entities such as the police and fire department, managing the national database, training and volunteer coordination.

The cabinet also approved the creation of a scientific council to advise the government on service readiness and preparedness.

A special coordinator appointed by the interior minister will be overseeing work and reporting to the ministerial crisis management group.