Resources for refugees and migrants stretched to the limit

Cyprus faces a serious problem coping with the number of migrants arriving here daily, while the current Ukraine refugee crisis means less attention and resources diverted to people coming in from other countries, the interior minister said Thursday.

Nicos Nouris was speaking to media in parliament after briefing MPs on the state of play regarding migrant flows, which show no sign of abating.

He said that the ‘Green Line’ – separating the north and south of the island – is what 90 per cent of all migrants use to come into the Republic.

“Right now the problem of migration management in Cyprus is being considerably exacerbated due to increased inflows,” the minister stated.

To ease the pressure, authorities are trying to increase the number of people repatriated to their countries – but this presents difficulties.

Citing data, Nouris said that during the first three months of the year some 5,000 people have arrived here and filed for asylum.

“Which, as you understand, does not bode well for 2022.”

During the same time period Cyprus returned to their countries around 680 persons – a high number considering the circumstances.

“But, realistically speaking, it’s one thing to be able to repatriate 680, and quite another to take in 5,000. This creates a huge burden on the country, which we are having difficulty to deal with and manage, be it in terms of infrastructure or financially.”

The interior ministry – in charge of migration affairs – has called for tenders for contracts regarding food for migrants. The total cost is estimated at €34 million. Of this, Cypriot taxpayers will pay for €30 million, with the rest, €4 million, co-funded by the European Commission.

Nouris said the government is in touch with a number of countries in a bid to clinch repatriation deals.

As things stand, Syria is designated as unsafe – so repatriations there are not part of policy.

But authorities have noticed that some Syrians who have requested asylum, abuse the system.

“We have ascertained that certain Syrians, who enjoy protection status in our country, they travel to Syria either for medical reasons or to visit family, and later return here.

“I have said that this phenomenon is being examined, because Syrians able to return to their country are obviously not in danger, So the interior ministry will reassess these specific [asylum] applications by Syrians.”

Asked about the transfer of a number of minors (refugees) to Paphos, the minister said the matter is being handled by the junior ministry of welfare.

“It’s our understanding that premises have been found in Paphos for the transfer there of 150 children, and that’s already underway. The first 50 children have been taken there.”

Regarding the Ukraine refugee situation and the EU adjusting its priorities, Nouris acknowledged this and said that inevitably this shift in attention will affect Cyprus in terms of assistance from Brussels.

“At this time, as I have told MPs, the EU has essentially committed the relevant funds concerning migration, funds which have some €17 billion in allocations, to the Ukraine situation – something which will naturally create difficulty in terms of financing for migratory flows that do not relate to Ukrainians.”

Nevertheless, the government is in constant touch with EU bodies on the matter.

On the issue of potential human trafficking in relation to Ukraine, the minister said Brussels has advised member-states to exercise special caution.

In Cyprus, no cases of trafficking from Ukraine have occurred. There were three instances where the persons did not have travel documents with them – but these were resolved in cooperation with the Ukraine embassy here.