EU officials visit HFC’s shelter for unaccompanied children

Members of the Directorate-General of the Migration and Home Affairs Unit of the European Commission visited the shelter for unaccompanied children of “Hope For Children” CRC Policy Center in Nicosia, within the framework of their official visit to the Republic of Cyprus.

The Head of the Migration Management Unit, Nacira Boulehouat and officers Gregoria Gavrielidou and Ionut Mihalache, were welcomed by the Director-General of Hope For Children Joseph Borghese, the Director of Humanitarian Division, Andria Neocleous, the Deputy Director, Andria Agastiniotou and staff of HFC. Present during the visit were the General Director of Deputy Ministry of Social Welfare Marina Ioannou-Hasapi, First Social Welfare Services Officer Eftichios Hadjichristodoulou, Marina Efthymiadou from the SWS, as well as the officers from the European Funds Unit Andia Savva and Marina Kafkalia.

The EU DG Migration & Home Affairs is responsible for the EU Policy on migration, borders and security.

During the visit, the EC representatives were informed about the operation of the shelter and the services provided to the children accommodated, in cooperation with the Social Welfare Services as the legal guardians of the children. Specifically, they were informed about the rehabilitation, integration and durable solution services provided to the children, as well as about the actions implemented related to meeting their individual needs, since the establishment of the shelter in 2014.

Special reference was made to the specialised staff members of HFC who are called daily to face the existing challenges on the support and the integration of the unaccompanied children, as well as the difficulties arise due to the pandemic. Discussion also took place regarding suggestions that would significantly contribute to solving existing difficulties and issues on covering the needs and on the easier transition of unaccompanied children to independent living in adulthood.

Finally, on behalf of “Hope of Children” CRC Policy Center, Borghese specially thanked the representatives on their interest in the work done and stressed the Organisation’s commitment towards the promotion and the respect of the rights of all children in Cyprus.

“Home For Hope” has been established with the approval and ongoing cooperation of the Social Welfare Services and is funded by the European Funds Unit of the Ministry of Interior. Specifically, the funding is provided through the grant agreement for the project “Operation of the Open Reception Centre for Unaccompanied Minors Third Country Nationals”, co-funded by the Asylum Migration & Integration Fund (90%) and the Republic of Cyprus.