Discrepancy reported in number of unaccompanied children displaced to Greece in 1974

Andreas Theodosiou, President of the Association of Unaccompanied Children Hosted in Greece (1974-1979), presented new data to the Parliamentary Committee for Refugees on September 15, 2026. He argued that the actual number of children relocated to Greece following the 1974 Turkish invasion exceeds 5,000, contradicting the official Ministry of Education records which estimate the figure at approximately 2,000.

Theodosiou explained that the discrepancy stems from the chaotic conditions post-invasion, where many children were sent to the port of Limassol to board ships without being formally registered. In many instances, parents, relatives, or even unknown individuals ensured the children’s departure to protect them, leading to an undocumented exodus. Furthermore, Theodosiou claimed that plans had existed to establish a "New Justini" in Grammatiko, Greece, which would have served as a "new Cyprus" had the island been entirely occupied by Turkish forces in 1974.

The Association is currently conducting investigations to locate and document individuals who were among these unregistered children. These efforts aim to provide a more accurate historical account and recognition for those affected by the events of 1974, as current parliamentary discussions continue to address these historical gaps.