The Pournara Refugee Centre, located in the village of Kokkinotrimitia near Nicosia, continues to be expanded and modernised.
On Friday 21 March, the European Union Asylum Agency (EUAA) handed over 62 new prefabricated housing modules to the Cyprus Refugee Reception Service for the accommodation of migrants.
This is expected to increase the capacity of the centre by 240 beds, reduce pressure on existing infrastructure and improve living conditions for asylum seekers.
It is worth noting that this project is being implemented as part of the EUAA's ongoing support to strengthen the reception system for refugees in Cyprus. The new modules will not only provide new arrivals on the island with basic amenities, but will also guarantee them privacy, security and stability - important elements for adaptation.
According to EUAA representatives, the expansion of the Pournara centre's infrastructure will help the Cypriots to manage migrant flows more effectively and ensure fair access to asylum procedures.
It should be recalled that Cyprus has been facing an increasing flow of migrants in recent years and the Pournara centre is a key point of primary accommodation for them.
Increasing its capacity will allow for faster processing of applications and improved conditions of stay. The project is a further step in the cooperation between the EU and Cyprus to optimise the reception system for migrants and improve humanitarian assistance.
Pournara refugee camp has a capacity of 1,000 people. Today, however, it houses more than 3,000 adults and children. The largest group are refugees from Pakistan. The Cypriot authorities are sounding the alarm, unable to cope with the growing influx of refugees. According to the head of the Interior Ministry, in order to reduce the number of migrants, it is necessary to tighten controls on the 'green line' and to focus on organising repatriation flights for those who have been denied political refugee status by the Cypriot authorities.