Cyprus - IOM yesterday (22/02) conducted its first family reunification in Cyprus in coordination with Cyprus’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and partners. The joint action reunited a 7-year-old Syrian girl with her father, mother and siblings.

The girl travelled from Syria via Jordan, where IOM Amman provided her with airport assistance and an escort for the journey. She was reunited with her family at Larnaca International Airport last night (22/02).

At the request of the NGO Future Worlds Centre, IOM in cooperation with the Cyprus Embassy in Amman and the Jordanian authorities organized the girl’s travel documents, flight bookings, tickets and transit assistance in Jordan, as well as reception assistance in Cyprus. 

"The child was separated from her family for two years after surviving a bombing and the destruction of her house. She was very eager to join her loved ones in Cyprus, who were thrilled to hear she is alive," said Natasa Xenophontos Koudouna, IOM's officer in charge in Cyprus.

The girl and her family will be further assisted with integration assistance and psychological support.

Of the 9,965 separated people that IOM helped to reunite with their families in 2015, the vast majority (99.5 percent) were to countries in the EU, Norway and Switzerland.

IOM is also in discussions with the Cypriot government to facilitate the reunification of refugees to destinations throughout Europe.

For further information, please contact IOM Cyprus, Tel: +357 22 77 22 70, Email: iomnicosia@iom.int