Interview with the National Director of SOS Children's Villages Northern Cyprus
Sponsor a child in Northern Cyprus
Northern Cyprus is recognised only by Turkey as a separate state. Sadly, children are often the biggest victims of the troubled political situation here. SOS Children has worked to help children in Northern Cyprus since 1993.
You can help vulnerable children in Northern Cyprus by sponsoring a child with SOS Children:
Sponsor a child in Northern CyprusAn economy limited by political tension
The people of Northern Cyprus suffer because of the long-standing political dispute with the Republic of Cyprus. The economy is largely dependent on trade with Turkey, which provides the overwhelming majority of exports as well as imports. Employment is increasingly hard to find, with more than one in 10 out of work. Worryingly, joblessness is much higher among 15-24 year olds at nearly a third of the workforce.
A neglected generation
Because only Turkey recognises Northern Cyprus's existence as a separate state, it is often hard to obtain international funding for charitable work in the country. This means that many children lack support which might otherwise be available to them. Many families are newly arrived in Northern Cyprus, and when things go wrong, lack the support network for financial survival. This puts children at risk of losing their parents, and when they do the stigma of entering care can be hugely damaging. Rarely are children able to return to their natural families.
Our Work in Northern Cyprus
SOS Children began discussions in Northern Cyprus in 1989.With no clear strategy on childcare, the SOS approach would provide a valuable example for policy-makers to follow.
Nicosia/Lefkosa
At present, SOS Children's only projects in the country are in the capital city of Nicosia, known as Lefkosa to the Turks. It is the only divided capital city in the world.
Our first project here was a nursery in September 1993. With four classrooms and two assembly rooms, it serves children living in the Village as well as those from the local area.
The Village itself opened 
in December of the same year. A number of family houses provide homes for many children who would otherwise have no one to care for them.
In 2007, SOS Children began a Family Strengthening Programme to support vulnerable families in need of support to remain together.
Local contact
SOS Children's Village Association of T.R.N.C.
PO Box 532
Lefkosa
Northern Cyprus
Via Mersin 10
Turkey
Tel: +90/392 225 4318
Fax: +90/392 225 3345
e-mail: info@soscocukkoyu.org
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