Melco Cyprus and CNS Group support wildfire-affected communities

Contributing towards the restoration of “Iamatiki” District Elementary School in Eptagonia and supplying the communities with five low-weight fire vehicles

Melco Cyprus, operator of Cyprus Casinos (“C2”) and the upcoming integrated resort (IR) City of Dreams Mediterranean, in collaboration with CNS Group, member of the Integrated Casino Resorts Cyprus Consortium (“ICR Cyprus”), are supporting the relief and recovery efforts to help communities devastated by the wildfire in the areas of rural Larnaca and Limassol with a contribution totalling €250,000.

The two companies will contribute €100,000 towards the restoration and upgrade of “Iamatiki” District Elementary School in Eptagonia, the central school of the area. The “Iamatiki” School, which sustained damages by the fire, welcomes students from a number of communities in close proximity to Eptagonia, such as Akapnou, Arakapas, Dierona, Kellaki, Klonari, Melini, Odou, Prastio, Profitis Elias and Sykopetra. The Melco Cyprus and CNS Group donation will be used to repair the damage caused by the fire as well as significantly upgrade the school’s premises, thereby improving students’ learning experience.

Furthermore, with the aim to supplement the government’s efforts and enhance the communities’ fire prevention capabilities, Melco Cyprus and CNS Group will supply five low-weight fire emergency response vehicles. The vehicles will be used as a measure of first response by the communities, to help contain or eliminate fire threats. The initiative satisfies a long-standing request by the local communities and help them become more resilient to the threat of wildfires.

Mr. Lawrence Ho, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Melco said, “Our thoughts are with all those within the community who have been affected by the fires. Through building on the collaboration between Melco Cyprus and the CNS Group, we hope our targeted actions will help strengthen the children and youth of the impacted regions, while enhancing local residents’ sense of security.”

Mr. Melis Shacolas, CEO of CNS Group said, “We are devastated by the great fire which took place in rural Larnaca and Limassol which sadly claimed lives. The donation is a token of our support for those affected. Our thoughts are with the communities' residents and we look forward to the speedy recovery of the area."

Mr. Panayiotis Tsolakis, President of the Community Council of Eptagonia stated, “This is a significant contribution, both for the area’s fire resiliency, and also for the local school network to help the local youth. The “Iamatiki” District School is central to the area as it covers a total of 11 communities. With help from Melco Cyprus and CNS Group, not only will damages sustained by the fire be fixed, but new playgrounds, basketball and football facilities be created, as well as a nature trail for the pupils. We will upgrade the school, providing the children with all the tools needed for a proper education and to make progress in their lives. We are confident that with the help of the people and the state, who have been by our side from the very beginning, the local communities will be able to recover fully very soon”.