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Civil Affairs

The Civil Affairs Branch and its Mission

The Civil Affairs Branch assists people living in the buffer zone, as well as a small number of minority communities on both sides of the island, with issues arising from the Cyprus conflict that affect their daily lives. 

The Branch was established in 1998, but its roots are to be found in the humanitarian function that was part of the original UNFICYP mandate in 1964 and which was then given over to a special humanitarian and economic wing set up following the events of July-August 1974.

Branch Activities

Among its activities, the Branch:

  • Operates a permit scheme for registered farmers and individuals who wish to use their land inside the buffer zone.
  • Educates those who work and live inside the buffer zone about the location and dangers of uncleared mine fields.
  • Escorts pilgrimages to religious sites.
  • Facilitates the restoration and maintenance of cultural and religious sites inside the buffer zone and on both sides of the island.
  • Transports government welfare assistance in the form of food items and pension checks to Greek Cypriots and Maronite communities living in the Karpas and Kormakitis regions in the north.
  • Provides assistance to the Turkish Cypriot communities in Limassol and Paphos in the south.  This assistance helps individuals get medical care and address housing needs, among other things.

The Branch, which has some 24 civilian, military, civilian police and support personnel, is located at UNFICYP Headquarters, with offices across the buffer zone, in the Karpas region to the north and in Limassol to the south.  It works closely with UNFICYP’s Military and UN Police components in order to maximize the mission’s effectiveness.

Sector Civil Affairs Team (SCAT)

The Civil Affairs branch has established a special unit comprised of United Nations Police (UNPOL) personnel to serve as first points of contact between civilians on humanitarian issues inside the buffer zone and in communities we serve island wide. 

There are three SCAT teams and offices situated in each of the UN buffer zone’s sectors to assist with any inquiries. Each of the buffer zone sectors are patrolled by UN Police and military who work closely with authorities from both sides.

Buffer Zone Villages

UNFICYP’s mandate is, in part, to encourage the fullest possible resumption of normal civilian activity in the buffer zone. There are several villages or special Civil Use Areas  within the buffer zone where more than 8,000 people live and/or work.  Civilians may enter the villages freely. Elsewhere in the buffer zone, civilian movement or activity requires specific authorization from UNFICYP. Located in the eastern region of the buffer zone, Pyla is the only village where Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots live side by side. 

Number of inhabitants living inside the buffer zone as of October 2007

In the western sector, between Kokkina and Mammari villages:      

Dhenia

304

Mammari

1,095

In the eastern sector, between Kaimakli and Deryneia villages:

Athienou

4,350

 

Lymbia

600

(the area of the village situated inside the buffer zone boundary)

Pyla

1,337

(850 Greek Cypriots; 487 Turkish Cypriots)

Troulli

1,000

 

Total:

8,686

 

 
 
 
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