Refugee Aid in Cyprus: Context, Organisations, and How to Help Responsibly
If you live in Cyprus, this topic is impossible to avoid — not because it is forced upon you, but because it is simply everywhere. Cyprus has one of the highest per-capita asylum seeker numbers in the entire EU. The island sits geographically close to Syria, Lebanon, and Turkey. And it is an island — which means that those who arrive almost always arrive by boat, and deportation is logistically complicated for geographic reasons.
This creates a unique situation — for those arriving, for the Cypriot state, and for everyone who wants to help.
Cyprus's Unique Situation
A few facts that help put the context in perspective:
Geographic position: Only 160 km from the Syrian coast, 70 km from the Turkish coast (Northern Cyprus). Direct sea route from Lebanon.
Arrival numbers: In some years over 20,000 first-time asylum applications for a population of roughly 900,000 — an EU record per capita.
The North Cyprus route: Some arrivals cross via the Green Line from the Turkish-controlled north — a legally ambiguous situation that also complicates humanitarian work.
Reception capacity: Pournara Reception Centre near Nicosia is the main reception camp — chronically overcrowded, with humanitarian conditions repeatedly criticised. NGOs fill the gaps.
The Active Organisations
- KISA – Migration, Asylum, Racism — Legal advice, advocacy, anti-discrimination (GR, EN, AR)
- Future Worlds Center — Integration, education, psychosocial support (GR, EN)
- Caritas Cyprus — Food aid, shelter, social work (GR, EN, AR)
- UNHCR Cyprus — Coordination, protection, monitoring (EN, GR)
- Cyprus Red Cross — First aid, in-kind donations, initial reception (GR, EN)
- Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) — Medical care (periodically active) (EN, FR)
KISA and Future Worlds Center are the two central civil society organisations — they have been working in Cyprus for decades and are well connected within European NGO networks. Anyone who seriously wants to help will find they are in the best hands with these two.
What Is Concretely Needed
Needs shift — following waves of arrivals, seasons, and camp capacities. But some things remain constant:
In-kind donations (coordinated through NGOs — do not simply drive to the camp):
- Clothing (especially children's clothing, shoes, winter clothes)
- Hygiene products (toothbrushes, soap, feminine hygiene items)
- Power banks, SIM cards (communication is vital for refugees)
- School bags and school supplies for children
Volunteering:
- Language teaching (English, Greek for adults and children)
- Administrative support for asylum procedures (no legal advice without qualifications!)
- Translation (Arabic, Farsi, French particularly sought)
- Childcare and recreational activities at the camp
- Psychosocial support (only with appropriate training)
How to Help Responsibly
- 1Register via UNHCR Cyprus (www.unhcr.org/cy) or the partner organisations — turning up unannounced at the camp does not work and is not helpful
- 2Bring your language skills: Arabic or Farsi? You are incredibly valuable. Simply get in touch with KISA (kisa.org.cy) or Future Worlds (futureworldscenter.org)
- 3In-kind donations only through coordinated channels — the organisations post current needs lists on social media
- 4Fundraising: If you don't have time yourself but have access to a community (workplace, school, sports club) — a donation drive for one of the organisations is a concrete way to help
- 5Advocacy: Political lobbying and public communication — some organisations are looking for people to support petitions or speak at events
What You Should Not Do
This is meant seriously, not moralistically:
- Do not drive to the camp without coordination — you do not help, you disrupt operations
- No photos of refugees without explicit consent — dignity and safety come before social media
- No private WhatsApp groups for 'emergency help' without NGO involvement — well-intentioned, often counterproductive
- Do not make promises you cannot keep — consistency matters more than enthusiasm
- Do not take on roles that require qualifications — psychosocial work without training can cause harm
Regulations change. Keep pundo.cy bookmarked — it's updated for expats living in Cyprus.
All information provided to the best of our knowledge — this field evolves constantly. Always ask the organisations directly about their current needs.
