Critical shortage of elevators in Cyprus refugee settlements

Residents of refugee housing settlements across Cyprus continue to face severe mobility restrictions due to the lack of elevators in aging apartment buildings. At the Agioi Anargyroi 2 settlement in Larnaca, specifically on Komiton Street, many elderly tenants remain trapped in their homes; reports include a 92-year-old resident who has been unable to leave her apartment for ten years. The structural design of these buildings, featuring narrow staircases, poses significant safety risks as patients cannot be safely transported via stretcher to ambulances in emergency situations.

Data from the Department of Town Planning and Housing indicates that elevators have been installed in only one-third of the required buildings, leaving 201 apartment complexes still awaiting upgrades. While the government has integrated these installations into the 'ktizo' (build) reconstruction plan, progress is reported as exceptionally slow. Despite promises of improvements following past incidents, such as the death of a resident eight years ago who could not be evacuated in time, systemic neglect persists. The government is currently managing the transition through the 'ktizo' plan, though residents report a lack of adequate information and prolonged suffering.