Filenews 12 January 2022 - by Michalis Hadjivasilis
The amounts spent by Cyprus last year on asylum seekers have skyrocketed, while, at the same time, European aid has increased, due to the emergency situation in which the country found itself. According to data obtained from official sources, from 1/1/2021 until 21/11/2021 a total of €36,494,943 was spent, which is estimated to exceed €39 million by the end of the year. Of these, the largest amount is spent on the personal expenses of immigrants, the provision of vouchers for food, hotels and material reception conditions. Specifically, for the accommodation services of asylum seekers, more than €34 million was spent last year, while for the salaries of 42 foreign officials who examine applications of applicants or assist in the procedures, another one million was spent.
► €317,121 was spent on salaries for unaccompanied girls in Larnaca and €352,548 in salaries for the Limassol framework.
► According to the data, an amount of €494,000 and another €433,500 for food was given as a grant for Hope for Children. In the same organization: sponsorship of €80,000 for the semi-independent living in Nicosia and Larnaca and another €56,316 as a food. For food for unaccompanied boys in Nicosia, another €72,280. Another €300,000 as a grant to a facility for the semi-independent living of vulnerable migrants.
► An amount of €500,000 was spent on food for unaccompanied minors living with relatives or on foster families. It is noted that the amount spent on salaries of 42 European officials who help with the asylum issue and reaches a million, is included in the co-funded EU programme.
At the same time, the amounts allocated to the Republic of Cyprus (Community funding) under the Home Affairs Funds, namely the Asylum, Integration and Return Fund, the Police Cooperation Fund and the Borders and Visa Fund, were increased. Specifically, from 2014 until 2020 the Republic of Cyprus received almost €108 million. More specifically, for issues of asylum, integration and return of migrants Cyprus received €39 million, for the issue of border guarding another €58.5 million and for policing and cooperation issues another €9 million.
For emergency projects due to increased flows, another €10.2 million was provided during the same period, including an amount for the First Reception Center in Pournara.
