The UN peacekeeping force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) expressed on Wednesday concern over the health and welfare of a group of asylum seekers stranded in the UN buffer zone, noting that these people need access to asylum procedures. In a statement, UNFICYP spokesperson Aleem Siddique, said that they were 'concerned for the health and welfare of the asylum seekers, including many women, children, currently stranded inside the UN buffer zone'. With rising summer temperatures in Cyprus, they are facing increasingly difficult conditions, he added. Siddique noted that, while UNFICYP were working closely with UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, to provide immediate humanitarian assistance including food, water, shelter and medical assistance for the most vulnerable people, 'these people need access to asylum procedures as provided for under national, EU and international law'. Cyprus government said on Monday that 27 irregular migrants remain in the buffer zone in Nicosia district and are assisted by the UNFICYP. Government Spokesperson Konstantinos Letymbiotis said in a written statement that the Republic of Cyprus is in cooperation with UNFICYP to address their humanitarian needs. Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results. Source: Cyprus News Agency
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