WOMAN LIVING AMONGST RUBBISH AND CASH IN KATO PAPHOS

 Pafos Press 20 March 2025

Paphos Municipality has cleaned up the residence of the 75-year-old woman who lives in squalid conditions

The Municipality of Paphos proceeded yesterday, Wednesday, to clean the home of the 75-year-old woman who was living under miserable conditions, while the elderly woman has already been removed after issuing a decree for mandatory examination and subsequent hospitalization.

Specifically, the 75-year-old woman, who was living in miserable living conditions, has been moved to a residence in the heart of Kato Pafos for necessary examinations and medical care.  The Welfare Office proceeded to issue a mandatory examination decree. This had also been done in 2023, according to information from CNA. Following a relevant assessment, the 75-year-old was deemed to require treatment.

The 75-year-old, according to the same information, presents the syndrome of the collector of the scurvy. The Welfare Office in the past tried to accommodate the 75-year-old in a Nursing Home so that she could get a "taste" of what it means to live as a human being, however, the effort did not bear fruit. After the end of her hospitalization, an attempt will be made again to transfer the elderly woman to a Nursing Home, however, the result is doubtful from the Welfare Office.

On Wednesday, Paphos Municipality crews immediately proceeded to remove the nuisance. Numerous newspapers, garbage, old objects and money were collected from the house. Among other things, newspapers and magazines from 2014 and before were found in the plastic bags, while the bags reached the ceiling. The 75-year-old's house has cracks and a building problem, while the elderly woman lives there without water and electricity. The 75-year-old also had chickens inside the house which she guarded so that no dog would get in and eat them.

According to the Mayor of Paphos, the Municipality of Paphos responded immediately after the woman was removed. Inside the house, money in notes and coins was found in garbage bags. The Local Authority called the Police on site and took the money, which was counted, and some jewellery was recorded.

The workers and employees of the Municipality stated that they never believed in their lives that they would see a person living in such conditions in Cyprus. The complaint about the miserable conditions in which the 75-year-old was living had been made last Thursday by the Mayor of Paphos, who had stated that "the Welfare Office has been aware of it for years" and called on the authorities to come to the scene.

In his statements to journalists, Mr. Phaedonos had even stated, sounding the alarm, "it is a matter of three minutes for the entire house to catch fire and we will have an unfortunate event concerning the person."

He also pointed out that a similar case exists approximately 800 meters from this residence.