On Monday, Cyprus signed a €1.1 million deal in Nicosia to open an Assisted Voluntary Returns Hub (AVR HUB). The centre will house up to 40 asylum seekers – mainly vulnerable people – who choose to return home voluntarily.
The project belongs to Phase A of the 2nd Swiss Contribution for migration (2019–2029).
Penelope Papavassiliou (Ministry of Finance), Maria Adamidou (Migration Department) and Vassiliy Yuzhanin (IOM Cyprus) put pen to paper.
Switzerland fully covers the CHF 1.05 million cost through the Switzerland–Cyprus Cooperation Programme. The International Organisation for Migration will run the facility in partnership with Cypriot authorities.
So far, Cyprus has received €10.7 million under Phase A (2019–2026) and another €10.7 million plus a €963,000 national contribution for Phase B (2025–2029).
The new hub will offer dignified support for voluntary returns and ease pressure on reception facilities.
Also read: Occupied North: High chance of early “parliamentary elections”
For more videos and updates, check our YouTube channel.
