The South Aegean Region has secured another €29.5 million to repair damage caused on Rhodes by Storm Bora in December 2024.
The allocation follows Deputy National Economy and Finance Minister Nikos Papathanasis' decision of 7 October 2026, numbered 161272 EX 2026, under the 2026–2030 Special Programme for Responding to and Recovering from Natural Disasters.
The new resources add to the previous €30 million allocation, bringing the total to €59.5 million and strengthening the region's capacity to continue restoring the island's infrastructure.
The region requested additional funding on 9 July 2026 under reference 1376. The request was forwarded to the Government Committee for State Aid, which submitted its recommendation to the deputy minister on 15 September 2026.
Under the ministerial decision, funding is allocated to the management service for the South Aegean Region's Regional Development Programme, within its independent Development Planning Directorate, for infrastructure recovery projects on Rhodes.
The works will fall under three priorities of the National Development Programme 2026–2030, increasing critical infrastructure and service resilience to natural disasters, risk prevention and management, and restoring disaster-damaged infrastructure.
The additional funding comes as works under the initial €30 million allocation are already well advanced, with significant projects completed and handed over for use.
Regional Governor Giorgos Hatzimarkos thanked the deputy minister for his cooperation and practical support for Rhodes, stressing the responsibility to turn available funding into projects that benefit the community.
In his statement, Hatzimarkos said, “Rhodes is receiving another €29.5 million to repair damage from Storm Bora. A new decision by Deputy National Economy and Finance Minister Nikos Papathanasis provides the South Aegean Region with additional funding to tackle the effects of the disaster that hit our island in December 2024.
“The new €29.5 million adds to the previous €30 million. Work funded through that earlier allocation is already well advanced, and several projects have been handed over in an exceptionally short time given the scale of the damage and the technical difficulty involved.
“The new bridge at Faliraki, the road at Petaloudes and the Maritsa–Psinthos road are among the significant works already delivered, while the remaining projects under that allocation are being implemented.
“This is the value of securing and using funding promptly, turning resources into projects, infrastructure, safer travel and a better everyday life. Funding returns to the community as work people can see and use.
“Approval of funding is where our responsibility to turn it into results begins. That is where the difference between responsible politics and excuses is judged.
“Constant complaints about insufficient money, while being unable to turn funding already approved into projects, are an ineffective approach for which our communities have paid dearly.
“Seeking resources also requires the ability to use them, something responsible funding managers must take seriously. We continue to pursue funding in practice, work effectively and deliver projects.
“I thank Minister Nikos Papathanasis for his cooperation and practical support for Rhodes and our efforts.”
