The Republic of Cyprus Assembly has given its unanimous approval to the 2024 budgets for the nation’s primary security and civil defence institutions, signaling a substantial financial commitment amid heightened concerns over natural disasters and institutional reforms. The legislative session saw cross-party support for allocations to the Police General Directorate, the Security Forces Command (GKK), and the Civil Defence Organization, with the cumulative funding underscoring a strategic prioritization of national safety and operational readiness.
The deliberations occurred against a backdrop of recent catastrophic flooding and the lingering memory of the February 6 earthquake, events which have starkly exposed vulnerabilities in disaster response infrastructure. This context heavily influenced the debate surrounding the Civil Defence Organization’s allocation of 1 billion TL. Legislators highlighted a critical gap between the organization’s mandated role and its current capacity, noting that while it maintains shelter space for approximately 200,000 citizens, its personnel numbers fall significantly short of authorized levels. Independent MP Ayşegül Baybars articulated a widespread sentiment, stating, "The Civil Defence Organization needs to be supported not just in words, but with numerical, budgetary, and financial support." This call extends beyond mere funding to encompass investment in advanced early warning systems, preventive infrastructure, and a near-doubling of staff to meet contemporary climate-induced threats.
Simultaneously, the police budget of over 8.4 billion TL was ratified without dissent, though not without pointed commentary on systemic challenges. MPs from various parties, including CTP representatives Ürün Solyalı and Devrim Barçın, steered the discussion toward profound structural issues. They emphasized an urgent need for enhanced working conditions, increased manpower to alleviate excessive workloads, and safeguards to ensure the force’s operational independence from political influence. The unanimous approval thus represents not merely a fiscal endorsement but a mandate for impending institutional modernization.
The most substantial allocation, a 9 billion TL budget for the Security Forces Command, was passed alongside a commitment to resolve a protracted administrative and legal impasse. A central issue involved outstanding severance payments for civilian specialists employed after 2011, a matter that has required repeated judicial intervention. The government’s proposal, as outlined by Finance Minister Özdemir Berova, involves directly allocating resources to settle these claims, thereby circumventing the need for further individual litigation. Minister Berova framed the decision within a broader narrative of national duty, remarking, "He emphasized that the Security Forces Command is the apple of the TRNC's eye, stating they are obliged to provide every opportunity to this unit, which is the indefatigable defender of sovereignty." The move is widely seen as a crucial step in bolstering morale and addressing long-standing labor grievances within a key sovereign institution.
The implications of these budgetary decisions are multifaceted. For civil defence, the challenge now shifts from securing funds to executing a rapid enhancement of proactive disaster management capabilities. For the police, the allocated resources must translate into tangible reforms that address both personnel welfare and institutional integrity. The resolution of the GKK’s severance pay issue, while a significant administrative milestone, also underscores the ongoing financial intricacies of the nation’s security apparatus. Collectively, these unanimous votes reflect a legislative consensus on the paramount importance of security and resilience, setting a clear fiscal precedent for the coming year amidst an evolving landscape of both natural and institutional challenges.