limassol recovery — limassol recovery — XM Group has unveiled a €1 million recovery programme, marking a significant step towards rebuilding communities in Limassol that were devastated by a catastrophic fire nearly a year ago. On July 23, 2025, a blaze swept through the mountainous region, claiming two lives and destroying 125 square kilometres of land, homes, and natural habitats.
Photo: en.philenews.com
In a poignant ceremony held in Nicosia, the company presented its “Revive Limassol by XM” initiative, emphasising a collective commitment to restoring hope and vitality to the affected areas. With a total investment of €5 million, XM Group aims to spearhead the reconstruction of four communities devastated by the fire: Souni-Zanatzia, Agios Amvrosios, Agios Therapontas, and Vouni.
As part of this effort, the Group is launching infrastructure projects valued at over €1 million. Ria Argyridou, the Group’s senior Corporate Social Responsibility officer, stressed the importance of fostering new beginnings for residents. She stated, “These communities aren’t being rebuilt to be what they were. They’re being rebuilt to have a future.” This philosophy guided the XM team as they listened to residents and community leaders to understand their needs.
Limassol recovery: Transforming Community Spaces
The planned projects are tailored to enrich the lives of local residents:
- Souni-Zanatzia: A multi-purpose community park complete with playgrounds, sports facilities, and a café kiosk.
- Agios Amvrosios: A state-of-the-art football pitch featuring artificial turf, changing rooms, and extensive tree planting.
- Agios Therapontas: A cultural pavilion that will include gardens, event spaces, and reading areas for community engagement.
- Vouni: A reception area that links to the historic Venetian Havouza, featuring a café and a climbing wall with panoramic views.
These projects are expected to be completed within 18 months, pending the necessary permits.
Strengthening Firefighting Efforts
In addition to community reconstruction, XM Group has made a substantial donation to the Fire Service, providing ten mobile water tankers, each with a capacity of 56,000 litres, valued at €150,000. Fire Chief Nikos Longinos highlighted the importance of this donation, stating it significantly enhances operational capabilities during large fires, especially in challenging terrains.
Longinos praised XM Group’s initiative as a strong message of solidarity and community responsibility, noting that the mobile water tankers will bolster both ground and aerial firefighting efforts.
Acknowledging Community Resilience
During the event, representatives from the impacted villages expressed their gratitude for XM Group’s support. Stelios Grigoriou from Agios Amvrosios celebrated the new football pitch, describing it as a vital resource for the youth of the community, while Matthaios Protopapas from Vouni expressed hope for the return of greenery to their area, stating, “Where the state sometimes stands idle, private initiative comes to offer solutions and hope.”
Therapon Chrysostomou, president of Agios Therapontas, reflected on the profound emotional impact of the redevelopment, calling it a significant step towards the village’s revival. Nikos Vikis from Souni-Zanatzia highlighted the immediate relief provided to families affected by the fire, underscoring the community park project as a future cornerstone for local children.
