Over 1000 nationals were evacuated from war-torn Israel via Cyprus since its repatriation scheme known as Estia was activated on October 10, Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos said on Wednesday.
Estia offers temporary accommodation and assistance to EU and third-country nationals fleeing areas of crisis.
Komos also said 15 flights took place from Israel to Cyprus to bring over people from the war zone. Plus, an additional two arrivals by sea.
“To date, 1083 people have arrived in Cyprus, of which 871 have already left the island. Of the arrivals, 182 have applied for a temporary residence permit. Those who have crossed from Cyprus are people from 37 different countries,” the Minister added.
The Larnaca-based “Zenon” coordination centre has representatives from 14 foreign missions assisting in the work of moving people via Cyprus.
Making a comparison with the war in Sudan, the Foreign Minister said that 2611 people had been trafficked through Cyprus at that time.
Kombos noted that the numbers could be much higher if the crisis spreads. And that the competent authorities were monitoring developments and dealing with the situation accordingly.
