Greek PM promises swift relief following Cyclone Ianos

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis promised the flood-stricken households, farmers and businesses of Karditsa that the government will stand at their side with "speed and determination."

Cyclone Ianos, has left three people dead, another reported missing and extensive damage, after the severe weather phenomena swept from the Ionian Islands through central Greece this weekend.

Mitsotakis promised that money would be disbursed quickly to help the local economy get back on track.

"We announced immediate measures and are monitoring all the developments. I want the people of the region to know, the entrepreneurs, the farmers, that the government will stand at their side with speed and determination and do whatever is needed so that these people can stand on their feet again," he said.

The PM also flew over the areas affected by the adverse weather conditions and talked to residents, who have been experiencing great hardship in recent days.

“There is no shortage of open fronts facing us right now: the coronavirus, the migration crisis, open national issues, the economic impact of the pandemic. And now this natural disaster. We will deal with it,” Mitsotakis added.

“People are justifiably sad and angry; I understand completely. We had to face a rare weather phenomenon. Unfortunately, such rare weather phenomena will become more frequent with climate change,” the PM continued.

Meanwhile, Interior Minister Takis Theodorikakos accompanied Mitsotakis on the visit.

In a post later on Twitter, he said that 18.5 million euros has already been disbursed to municipal authorities in the region.