Centre for unaccompanied refugee children causes a stir

The government on Thursday defended its decision to build a reception centre for unaccompanied children in Zygi after the village leader took to Facebook to oppose its operation.

Zygi Community Council leader Georgia Michael posted on the authority’s official Facebook page a message haranguing the Labour Minister Zeta Emilianidou for snubbing the locals in deciding to build the centre in their village. She said it was done without consultation with the Council who had proposed that a camping ground and sports area be built where the centre is now located. Michael said the local feeling was totally ignored.

“We will not let anybody into the area…whatever that implies,” said Michael’s angry post on the Community’s Facebook page. She seemed to have the support of residents with 151 likes, 43 comments mostly backing her sentiments and 46 shares.

In response, the Labour Ministry said the centre for unaccompanied refugee children in Zygi was “absolutely necessary” to host minors escaping conflict in the region.

The centre is built within the area of an abandoned National Guard army camp and is the fifth to operate in Cyprus. It has the capacity to receive 100 children and employ 22 staff.

“The other four centres are operating in the municipalities of Nicosia, Larnaca and Limassol without ever having an issue with the communities there,” the Ministry said.

Cyprus has received support from international agencies such as the International Organization for Migration, the Council of Europe Development Bank and the Norwegian Financial Mechanism - EEA Grants.

The cost for building (EUR 1.5 mln) and running (EUR 925,000 per annum) the centre will be covered by these organisations, said the Ministry.