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Content of this page:
1. Description of the refugee situation
2. Cyprus's response to the refugee situation
3. Steps towards meeting the objectives of the Compact
1. Description of refugee situation
Where does the population of concern live?
Mostly in urban settings.
International Protection Beneficiaries (Refugees and Subsidiary Protection Beneficiaries):
Location: Urban
Figures: 11,541
Applicants for international protection in Camps / reception centres:
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Kofinou Reception Centre for applicants for International Protection: 236 persons (maximum capacity 350 persons)
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First Reception Centre: 254 persons (72 hours stay)
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Shelters for unaccompanied minors: 170 persons
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Hotels (provided by Social Welfare Services): 280 persons
Total number of asylum seekers at 30 September 2019 .Includes persons awaiting a final administrative decision (on first or second administrative instance). Asylum seekers awaiting a decision on appeal are not included, as figures were not made available by the competent Courts (some 800 cases pending).
Find live data, information and fact sheets on the refugee situation in Thailand on the UNHCR Operational Portal as well as Global Focus.
2. Cyprus's response to the refugee situation
An overview of how the Government has structured its ability to respond to the refugee situation, with the support of partners.
The Ministry of Interior is the government entity that leads the implementation of the GCR, in cooperation with UNHCR. Within the Ministry, the Asylum Service and the Civil Registry and Migration Department are working in collaboration with other governmental departments, such as the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare. No formal intra-governmental mechanism has been established for the implementation of the GCR, however, the Advisory Board for the Integration of Migrants (an intra-government body responsible for designing and monitoring Cyprus’ integration policy, with the participation of trade unions, employer’s associations etc.) considers& refugee integration issues, within the framework of its competencies.
Which partnerships have been strengthened or have been made possible thanks to the implementation of the Global Compact of Refugees?
Efforts to implement the GCR has fostered closer collaboration between the different government departments and has led to new partnerships between the government and non-governmental bodies, such as state and private universities, local authorities and trade unions. In 2019 the Ministry of Interior was in the process of establishing and strengthening further partnerships with other governmental departments and with NGOs that assist refugees. The Advisory Board for the Integration of Migrants and Refugees was also set up in 2019, with the participation of trade unions, employers’ associations, local authorities as well as the Ombudsman to discuss the design of a comprehensive integration strategy. It is expected that in the course of 2020, both NGOs and international organizations, (including UNHCR, will participate in the Advisory Board.
Partners involved
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Ministry of Interior (Asylum Service, Civil Registry and Migration Department, Civil Defence),
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Ministry of Education
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Ministry of Labour, Welfare and Social Insurance,
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Ministry of Justice (Immigration Police),
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Local Authorities (Municipalities),
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UNHCR, IOM
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National NGOs
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Private organisations (e.g. universities)
3. Steps towards meeting the objectives of the Compact
Here’s a summary of how partnerships working in education, livelihoods, health and social inclusion have already transformed the lives of refugees and their hosts.
As part of the framework of the relocation mechanism, Cyprus has received a number of refugees from Italy and Greece. Cyprus also deploys experts through European Asylum Support Office (EASO) Operating Plans, who train case workers and staff working in the area of asylum, reception.
In addition to efforts made towards inclusion of refugees through specific programmes involving private sector, local authorities; the inter-governmental Advisory Board for the Integration of Migrants, which had been inactive for some years, has become active again with a view to design a comprehensive integration strategy. The strategy will be expected to lead to the adoption of a multi-year integration action plan.
Pledges and contributions made by Cyprus
Pledges and contributions dashboard (interactive by Area of Focus)
This dashboard includes all pledges and contributions made towards the implementation of the Global Compact on Refugees in Cyprus, including national pledges made by the Government of Cyprus itself.
