Nearly five years after a powerful earthquake struck the town of Arkalochori in Crete, many residents affected by the disaster are still waiting for their homes and communities to be restored, prompting Greece’s Ombudsman to request answers from the government.
The Ombudsman has raised concerns over delays in the recovery process following the September 27, 2021 earthquake, highlighting unresolved issues involving compensation updates, housing assistance, reconstruction programs and the demolition of dangerous damaged buildings.
Following an on-site inspection and meetings with local authorities and earthquake victims, the independent authority sent a letter to several government ministries asking for information on planned actions to address the ongoing problems.
The earthquake, which was centered near Arkalochori, caused extensive damage to homes, schools and religious buildings. According to the Ombudsman, more than four and a half years later, the restoration of many structures has still not been completed, while several buildings considered unsafe remain standing.
Concerns over rebuilding costs and compensation
One of the main issues raised concerns the cost of repairing damaged buildings. The Ombudsman noted that construction material prices have increased significantly since the earthquake, making repairs increasingly difficult for affected residents.
The local earthquake victims’ association has argued that the official cost calculations used for repair assistance no longer reflect current market prices, creating additional financial pressure for homeowners trying to rebuild.
The authority also highlighted concerns over the system of state housing assistance, which provides support through a combination of government aid and interest-free loans guaranteed by the Greek state.
According to the Ombudsman’s letter, some residents have reported difficulties obtaining the loan portion of the assistance from financial institutions, limiting the funds available for reconstruction.
Calls for extensions to support programs
The Ombudsman also asked the government to consider extending deadlines for certain recovery measures.
Among the issues raised was a simplified process for receiving housing assistance for eligible repair works, after residents said the original three-month application period was too short for everyone who wished to participate.
The authority also addressed the “Exoikonomo 2025” energy upgrade program, which included special provisions for victims of natural disasters. The earthquake victims’ association has requested more time to complete the required works, warning that some beneficiaries could lose access to funding through no fault of their own.
Request for a reconstruction coordinator
Another key request concerns the appointment of a Reconstruction and Recovery Coordinator for the affected area.
The victims’ association has argued that a lack of coordination has contributed to delays in restoring the region. The Ombudsman asked the government whether it is considering appointing a dedicated coordinator to oversee recovery efforts in Arkalochori.
The authority stressed that the restoration of areas affected by natural disasters has broader social and economic consequences for local communities and requested official responses on possible solutions and future actions.
