Residents of Limassol’s Amathounda area were set to protest on Friday against a children’s shelter they say will impact their quality of life.
In response, the deputy welfare ministry clarified that the shelter is intended to provide protective services for children under the state’s legal guardianship, including those who “have been abused, abandoned, or orphaned.”
According to a report in Phileleftheros residents are furious over the project and have amassed more than 1,200 signatures in protest.
“This is a residential area and the shelter will alter its character,” residents said according to the article. Residents also voiced concerns about the lack of public consultation and potential traffic issues.
The deputy ministry stressed “it would be at least irresponsible” to lose out on EU funding for this project due to community resistance to vulnerable children.
It specified that these children have rights to education, health, a social life and necessary services.
“We are obliged to offer these services as a state for obvious reasons. Any child of a citizen in Cyprus could be affected” the deputy ministry said.
It also rejected accusations there had been no public consultation, saying all parties involved had been briefed.
“Everyone’s attention should be on the children and we should collectively protect them, as a state, local authorities and society of citizens.”
It added the planning entails two children’s shelters for which the government will receive EU funding under the Recovery and Resiliency plan. It said the projects were not for unaccompanied minors.
The protest was scheduled for 5pm outside of the Ayios Athanasios municipal building.
