Nicosia: The Committee on Missing Persons in Cyprus (CMP) announced on Wednesday the receipt of a pound 25,000 donation from the Government of Ireland on 30 July 2025. This financial support underscores continued international backing for the CMP’s efforts in addressing the humanitarian issue of missing persons in Cyprus.
According to Cyprus News Agency, Ireland’s latest contribution increases its total financial assistance to the CMP to pound 500,000 since 2006. The funds are crucial for the Committee’s ongoing efforts to identify and return the remains of missing individuals, a mission that seeks to resolve the uncertainty faced by numerous families over the years. The CMP heavily relies on donations to sustain its bi-communal project, which aims to address the humanitarian needs of both Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities.
The Committee on Missing Persons in Cyprus was established in April 1981 under the United Nations’ auspices. This development followed an agreement between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities, prompted by two United Nations General Assembly resolutions advocating for a mechanism to address this sensitive issue. The CMP’s project, focusing on the exhumation, identification, and return of remains, became operational in 2006, with the European Union serving as its primary financial supporter.
To date, the initiative has seen the successful identification and return of 1,055 missing persons from both Cypriot communities, allowing families to proceed with dignified burials. The CMP’s work remains pivotal in fostering reconciliation and healing on the island.