Refugees in Cyprus face long waiting times and limited support

The heat is stifling in Pournara, the only reception centre in Cyprus where asylum seekers can register their asylum applications. Bulldozers drown out all sound. 'We need to expand', says Natasa Andreou, head of the Cypriot asylum service, during a tour of the facility. 'We must prepare for future arrivals.' 

Cyprus was once a major destination for Syrian refugees. In early 2024, the number of Syrians seeking asylum on the island increased significantly, with 4,104 new applications according to the Cyprus Mail. In response, the Cypriot government suspended the processing of Syrian asylum applications for 21 months, citing concerns about an ‘alarming demographic problem’. President Nikos Christodoulides declared that Cyprus would ‘no longer accept Syrian refugees’. 

The Cypriot government has long pursued a restrictive migration policy, often using alarmist rhetoric about refugees. As a result, xenophobia and discrimination have been fostered in Cypriot society.

For Raisse (33) from Cameroon, life in Cyprus is challenging. 'If I sit next to a Cypriot on public transport, I am often told to move’, she says. Now a legal resident, she works in a shop selling African products. 'I used to rely on aid organisations for food, but now I can support my two children myself', she adds with a smile. 

Economic hardship makes life even more difficult for asylum seekers. ‘We cannot survive on the €100 monthly allowance we receive', says Mohammad, a Syrian refugee living in the Kofinou reception centre. As asylum seekers are not allowed to work for the first nine months, he has no way to change his situation. 'I want to contribute and earn my own money, but I am not allowed to do that.' 

Fortunately, several civil society organisations work to support refugees in Cyprus. Caritas Cyprus and the Cyprus Refugee Council play a crucial role in providing assistance. On the one hand, the Cyprus Refugee Council offers legal aid and helps asylum seekers file their applications, often challenging decisions in court. On the other hand, Caritas Cyprus focuses on humanitarian support, distributing food, clothing and essential supplies. Their volunteers help refugees translate and understand official documents.

Without these organisations, the situation for refugees in Cyprus would be even worse. The Dutch Council for Refugees supports these organisations through financial aid and knowledge exchange, but more is needed. 'Aid organisations cannot do it alone; they need the support of European governments and citizens', says Femke de Vries, European policy and advocacy officer at the Dutch Council for Refugees. 'We need much more solidarity and a fair distribution of responsibility for refugee reception and protection in Europe. However, the political climate is shifting, and refugees are becoming less welcome in many countries. That is why we are deeply concerned.' 

Meanwhile, Syrian Youssef feels powerless in the overcrowded apartment he now shares with eleven other refugees. 'When my children ask me when we will see each other again, I have no words.' His hope of being reunited with his family fades a little more every day. 'We cannot look away. We must take action for European solidarity', Femke concludes.