UNHCR Cyprus

07/08/2026

“Human stories matter. They give meaning to facts, depth to public debate and dignity to experiences that are too often reduced to numbers or labels.”

UNHCR was pleased to support the screening of 'A Fox Under a Pink Moon' at the Lemesos International Documentary Festival— a powerful documentary following Soraya, a young Afghan artist, as she shares her experience of displacement, resilience and the search for safety.

Marking the 75th anniversary of the 1951 Refugee Convention, Leslie Esther Vélez, UNHCR Representative in Cyprus, reflected on the particular resonance of refugee protection in Cyprus, where many families have their own experience of displacement, separation and rebuilding their lives.

“Behind every asylum application is a person with a name, a voice and a story worth hearing.”

Find out more about Soraya’s story on the film’s website:
https://afoxunderapinkmoon.com/

06/08/2026

🎬 Join us this evening at the Lemesos International Documentary Festival for the screening of A Fox Under a Pink Moon, supported by UNHCR Cyprus.
Filmed over five years, the documentary follows Soraya, a young Afghan artist, as she navigates displacement, an abusive marriage and repeated attempts to reach safety in Europe. Through her art, she shares a powerful story of courage, resilience and hope.

📅 Today, 6 August
🕡 18:30
📍 Ceronia Hall, Lanitis Carob Mill Complex, Limassol
🎟 Find ticket information here:
https://filmfestival.com.cy/tickets

We hope to see you there!

03/08/2026

75 leading figures from across society have joined UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, in launching The Promise, a global statement of solidarity with refugees.

Forged in the aftermath of the Second World War, the 1951 Refugee Convention enshrined a simple yet profound promise: that every person, no matter who they are or where they are from, has the right to seek and enjoy safety from persecution.
Together with its 1967 Protocol, the Convention remains the foundation of refugee protection, defining who is a refugee, outlining the rights and assistance refugees are entitled to receive and setting international standards for their protection.
The Convention gives refugees specific rights to ensure they can live in safety and dignity, while solutions are pursued, and outlines their obligations to the host country.

The Promise is a public statement of solidarity, bringing together prominent figures from across society to reaffirm support for refugees and the right to seek safety.Launched on 28 July, as the Refugee Convention marks its 75th anniversary, it aims to build a diverse coalition for refugee protectio...

28/07/2026

75 Years of Lives Changed

2026 marks the 75th anniversary of the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees – the cornerstone of international refugee protection.

Cyprus knows from its own history the importance of protection for those forced to flee. At the EU’s external border, Cyprus plays a vital role in upholding the right to seek asylum.

75 years of lives changed 75 years of lives changed 2026 marks the 75th anniversary of the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees – the cornerstone of international refugee protection. © UNHCR/Hélène Caux For 75 years, the convention has helped save lives, protect rights and provide...

03/07/2026

Delighted to support Generation for Change CY’s Summer Greek Language School for refugee teens! UNHCR Cyprus donated 150 pens and writing pads to help support the learning journey for students in the programme.

Registrations are still open. Wishing everyone a great summer of language, community, and growth. 📚

03/07/2026

Cyprus Police are seeking information to help locate a 25-year-old man reported missing from Larnaca. If you have any information, please contact the Police directly via the link below.

🚨 #ΕΛΛΕΙΠΟΝ Πρόσωπο: Εντοπίστηκε ο 25χρονος, ο οποίος είχε δηλωθεί στην Αστυνομία ως Ελλείπον πρόσωπο.

👉 https://www.cypruspolicenews.com/archives/57133



Υπενθύμιση: Περαιτέρω δημοσίευση φωτογραφίας που απεικονίζει το εν λόγω πρόσωπο, δυνατό να αντιβαίνει σε πρόνοιες της νομοθεσίας περί προσωπικών δεδομένων και στους κανόνες της δημοσιογραφικής δεοντολογίας περί σεβασμού της ιδιωτικής ζωής και των προσωπικών δεδομένων.

30/06/2026

🌍⚽ World Refugee Day 2026 — "Until Everyone Is Safe"

On 16 June 2026, the Cyprus Football Association, IOM Cyprus, and UNHCR Cyprus jointly organized a football event at the Sotirio Sports Centre in Kofinou to mark World Refugee Day, observed annually on 20 June. The event brought together refugee children from the Kofinou Reception and Accommodation Centre and unaccompanied children benefiting from IOM Cyprus's Semi-Independent Living programme, for an afternoon filled with sport, laughter, and belonging.

The children took part in football matches organised by age group and team games, supported by professional coaches, meals, and parallel activities — all within a safe, welcoming, and joyful environment. The day closed with a medal ceremony in which all participating children were recognised.

Leslie Esther Vélez, UNHCR Representative in Cyprus, said: "Watching them on the pitch — focused, energised, and smiling — is a reminder of their resilience and of what becomes possible when institutions come together around a shared commitment to their wellbeing."

Vassiliy Yuzhanin, Chief of Mission, IOM Cyprus, added: "When children who have experienced displacement are given stability and a safe environment, their resilience and potential are remarkable."

This year also marks the 75th anniversary of the 1951 Refugee Convention — a reminder of the enduring commitment to protect those who have been forced to flee.

Full press release in the comments 👇

26/06/2026

Yesterday the Mediterranean Institute of Gender Studies (MIGS) and UNHCR Cyprus co-organised a roundtable discussion on “Violence Against Migrant and Refugee Women in Cyprus – Gaps, Challenges and the Way Forward”, at the Journalists’ House in Nicosia.

Bringing together public institutions, civil society organisations, community representatives and frontline professionals, the roundtable provided an important space to reflect on the challenges faced by refugee and migrant women and girls, share key research findings and current trends, and identify practical ways to strengthen the prevention of and response to gender-based violence.

Participants highlighted the need for early identification, effective referral pathways, trained professionals, quality interpretation, safe and accessible services, and survivor-centred policies that respond to the realities of refugee and migrant women and girls.

Effective GBV prevention and response requires coordinated action, sustained commitment and the meaningful participation of refugee and migrant women at every stage - from the design of policies and programmes to their implementation, monitoring and evaluation.

‘Until everyone is safe, the work is not done’

22/06/2026

In the UN High Commissioner for Refugees’ World Refugee Day statement, UNHCR calls for renewed commitment to refugees everywhere and to the promise of protection made 75 years ago for everyone.
Nearly 42 million people have been uprooted from their countries by war, violence and persecution.
Every day, refugees contribute to the communities that have welcomed them — as workers, students, neighbours, artists, athletes, entrepreneurs and leaders. Given the opportunity, they rebuild their lives and help strengthen the societies around them.
Refugees need more than protection from danger; they need opportunities to rebuild their lives with dignity.
Until everyone is safe, none of us are safe.

Τoday is World Refugee Day, a moment to recognize the courage and determination of nearly 42 million people uprooted from their countries by war, violence and persecution.Every day, refugees contribute to the communities that have welcomed them — as workers, students, neighbours, artists, athlete...

16/06/2026

"I feel I grew up helping people. I love seeing people smile".

Sham, 19, was born in Cyprus — the only home she's ever known. Her parents arrived from Syria 24 years ago, when her mother was just 18, in search of safety. Today, Sham is preparing for her Pancyprian exams, hopes to work in healthcare, and gives back to her community as a volunteer with the Learning Refuge in Paphos, where she supports women — including survivors of domestic violence — as they rebuild their lives.

Fluent in Greek, Arabic and English, Sham describes herself as "just like every other kid going to school." But she's also experienced what it feels like to be talked about as a problem rather than seen as a person — from a classroom debate that divided students into "Cypriots" and "refugees," to comments after she chose to wear a headscarf. What she remembers most, though, is the support of the friends who stood by her.

As World Refugee Day marks the 75th anniversary of the Refugee Convention, Sham's story is a reminder of what safety makes possible: an education, a sense of belonging, and the chance to give back to the place you call home.

"Language barriers, financial difficulties and many other challenges can be overcome. But first people need safety."

Until everyone is safe, the work is not done.

Full story in the comments below