The Deputy Ministry of Social Welfare is already moving quickly to an alternative solution for the quick transfer of 150 unaccompanied children to Paphos, after the sudden problem caused by the withdrawal of the owner of a tourist accommodation in the free Famagusta district from the agreed terms.
In particular, both the Social Welfare Services, as well as all relevant services, had taken rapid action to implement the instructions of the President of the Republic and the relevant decision of the Council of Ministers, dated 16 March 2022. In five days, all the necessary preparations were made for the immediate transfer of the underage children from the "Pournara" First Reception Centre to accommodation in the free Famagusta District. The necessary staffing of caregivers, social workers and all the necessary material for the care and feeding of the children was ensured. At the same time, in coordination with the Ministry of Education, the PDOED and NGOs, arrangements were made for the education and activities of the children within the site, while in coordination with the Ministry of Justice and the Police, the issue of security was settled, and with the cooperation of the Asylum Service, the safe transfer and the procedures for the completion of the evaluation of the applications within the site.
Unfortunately, however, the transfer scheduled for today has to be postponed following the information we received about the refusal of the owner of the accommodation to sign the text of the agreement we had reached.
Following this development and with the decisive contribution of the Deputy Ministry of Tourism, another accommodation in Paphos has been immediately identified and we have already restarted all procedures for its preparation. Our aim is to make the transfer of the children possible within the next few days and without further delay.
I would like to thank the relevant Ministers, the Administration and the Officers of the Services of the Ministry of Social Welfare and especially the volunteers and social partners who are working non-stop to assist the work of the Ministry of Social Welfare and the Government in this superhuman effort.
Recognizing the difficulties arising from the overwhelming migratory flows, we continue to do everything possible to address practical difficulties and problems in order to provide the best possible care for unaccompanied children.
(EK/SX)
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