Refugees in Cyprus are reportedly considering selling occupied property to secure money for their families, raising concerns about the financial pressures facing displaced people.
One case highlighted by the chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Refugees, Nikos Kettiris, involves an 85-year-old woman who is considering selling her orchard in Famagusta to cover her granddaughter’s university expenses.
Kettiris said the woman contacted him in an emotionally distressed state, explaining that she was considering approaching either the so-called Immovable Property Commission or other interested parties to obtain the money she needed.
The committee chairman also said he had received a letter from another refugee raising similar concerns. He forwarded it to the Central Agency for Equal Distribution of Burdens.
Calls to simplify refugee loan procedures
The conditions for granting loans to refugees also came under scrutiny during the discussion.
Applicants are currently required to secure four creditworthy co-debtors who will guarantee repayment of the loan.
Members of the Parliamentary Committee on Refugees stressed the need to simplify the procedures and requested information on the number of applications that had been rejected.
Questions over interest rate subsidies
MPs also sought clarification on the level of interest rate subsidies provided under the scheme.
Concerns were raised over reports that different levels of support may have been applied in certain loan cases.
Meanwhile, Central Agency for Equal Distribution of Burdens chairman Akis Pouros referred to longstanding staff shortages at the organisation.
He also expressed dissatisfaction that members of its board of directors were being expected to bear responsibility for decisions, while broader policy and decisions concerning the agency’s operation were determined by others.
Also read: Mousiouttas: €1,103 pension cannot be guaranteed under current conditions
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