Support Measures for the victims of Mati and Mandra

The State is implementing a substantial intervention to support the victims and their families from two tragedies that marked the country: the July 2018 wildfire in Mati and the November 2017 flood in Mandra.

According to the Ministry of National Economy and Finance, with the amendments submitted late last night by Minister Kyriakos Pierrakakis to the bill under discussion on “public-benefit properties, foundations, dormant inheritances, and donations to the State,” the government resolves a long-standing issue and proceeds with specific measures of restoration, relief, and institutional protection for those affected.

The measures include:

• Full protection of court-awarded compensations, which are designated as tax-free, non-transferable, and immune from seizure.
• Establishment of a special monthly pension of €1,700, equal to four times the full national pension. Beneficiaries include relatives of the victims, as well as burn victims of the Mati fire with second- or third-degree burns and a disability rate of 50% or higher, listed in the Burn Victims Registry. The pension is tax-free and non-seizable, is not offset against debts, does not affect other social benefits, is paid regardless of employment or receipt of another pension, and is automatically adjusted in line with the national pension.
• Universal and automatic cancellation of debts to the Tax Administration, social security funds, and local authorities, including debts under settlement or the out-of-court mechanism, and debts arising from participation in the management or ownership of legal entities. Insurance time corresponding to the cancelled contributions is fully preserved.
• Full medical coverage for burn victims, in Greece and abroad, as well as free, personalized psychological support for the families of the victims.

With these provisions, the victims of Mati and Mandra are afforded the same institutional care and protection as those affected by the Tempi tragedy. The bill and the related measures are to be voted on today in Parliament.