Press Releases

The Deputy Minister of Social Welfare, Ms Anastasia Anthousi, stated today that 150 unaccompanied children, currently hosted at the Pournara First Reception Centre, will be transferred next week to another accommodation in the District of Ammochostos.

According to Ms Anthousi, following the decisions of the meeting held last Monday under the President of the Republic on the issues of minors at the Pournara Reception Centre, “the Council of Ministers has approved today the provision of accommodation in the District of Ammochostos, where the 150 unaccompanied minors, who have not fully completed the procedures – i.e. some procedures are pending such as the vulnerability test and age assessment – will be transferred immediately, so that the procedures can be completed there, in an attempt to decongest the overcrowding at the Pournara First Reception Centre”.

At the same time, the Deputy Minister of Social Welfare said that the Social Welfare Services, following the approval of a fund, will today launch a call for expression of interest in staffing with institutional officers and social service officers, in order to provide these children with the necessary care services. 

Finally, Ms Anthousi noted that during the next hours or tomorrow, meetings will be held with all the services and departments involved, in order to arrange the smooth transfer of the children at the beginning of next week. 

(EK/MPO)