Caritas Cyprus welcomed the opportunity to discuss its work in support of vulnerable people with Frontex—the European Border and Coast Guard Agency—as part of an awareness session for deployed Return Specialists on June 13 in Nicosia. In addition to being a source of credible information for those considering return to their home country, Caritas Cyprus supports vulnerable individuals as they navigate the return process which can sometimes be long and complex. The June 13 session, which included UNHCR, was a rare chance to exchange experiences in an effort to improve the way Europe approaches the all-important task of managing its borders.
According to preliminary data collected by Frontex, the number of irregular border crossings into the European Union fell by close a quarter (23%) to nearly 80,000 in the first five months of 2024. However, arrivals doubled on the Eastern Mediterranean route. Visit the Frontex site to learn more.