Help for refugees in Cyprus

Cyprus has the highest number of asylum seekers per capita in Europe, but state support for the stranded refugees is mostly non-existent. Über 90 % müssen sich eigenständig versorgen und eine Unterkunft finden. In dieser schwierigen Situation arbeiten nur wenige lokale Organisationen, die sich für diese Menschen einsetzen.

Unsere Mission

Unser Ziel ist es, Geflüchteten nicht nur kurzfristige Hilfe zu leisten, sondern sie nachhaltig in die Gesellschaft zu integrieren. Wir stehen in engem Kontakt mit zwei Organisationen auf Zypern, die sich intensiv für Geflüchtete engagieren: Caritas Zypern, unter der Leitung von Elizabeth Kassinis, und Refugee Support Europe, vertreten durch Paula Tamarit. Beide betreiben sogenannte Free Shops, in denen Neuankömmlinge Kleidung und Hygieneartikel erhalten. Dank großzügiger Spenden unterstützen wir diese wichtige Arbeit mit Sach- und Geldspenden.

Was die NGOs vor Ort machen und wobei wir sie unterstützen:

• Notunterkünfte & Grundversorgung: Viele Geflüchtete kommen auf Zypern mittellos an. Wir helfen mit Unterkünften, Nahrungsmitteln, Kleidung und medizinischer Betreuung.
• Bildung & Integration: Sprachkurse, Workshops und Mentorenprogramme erleichtern den Einstieg in das neue Leben. Wir vermitteln zudem Kontakte zu lokalen Gemeinschaften, um soziale Integration zu fördern.
• Legal advice: Many refugees are confronted with complicated asylum procedures. Our volunteer lawyers support them in asserting their rights.
• Labor market integration: Through qualification courses and cooperation with local companies, we help refugees to find work and become financially independent.

Our concrete help on the ground in figures:

• 21,100 € for our partner organizations Caritas Cyprus and Refugee Support Europe
• 2,800 € for the purchase of urgently needed relief supplies (diapers, sanitary towels, shower gel, etc.)
• 14 clown shows for more than 700 refugees
• 16 mobile painting rooms for over 800 refugees
• Over 15 tons of donations in kind – including 768 banana boxes of clothing, 42 bicycles, 50 baby carriages, 300 blankets, 100 school bags and dozens of balance bikes

Special encounters in no man’s land

Our aid missions also took us to the large refugee camps and to the buffer zone between the Greek south and the Turkish north of Cyprus. People who have been forced back by illegal pushbacks are stranded here. They live in simple tents with no infrastructure in catastrophic conditions.

In addition to material aid, we were also able to give them hope and joy with clown shows and mobile painting rooms. The people, who often feel forgotten by the world, were deeply grateful for our visits.

How you can help

Our work is only possible thanks to donations and voluntary commitment. Together, we can give refugees in Cyprus hope and new prospects, and every single donation helps us to do this – click here to go to the online donation form and, with the subject line “Help for Cyprus”, your contribution will go directly to the refugees on this European island.