In this, the first installation of a three-part study that seeks to analyse how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected refugees, migrants and asylum seekers in Cyprus, Project Phoenix provides an overview-based timeline of events and government actions, and a brief explanation of their impact.

Since March 2020, when the pandemic began, refugees, migrants and asylum seekers have had limited access to official information on the COVID-19 pandemic and, as a result, suffered disproportionately during the lockdown period which severely restricted their movement.

To date, the pandemic has had a discernible effect on personal freedoms, livelihoods and economic security, mental health and general wellbeing and personal development, despite the best efforts of civil society organisations.

In addition, many refugees, migrants and asylum seekers continue to remain on the margins of Cypriot society, experiencing long delays in migration procedures and claims, with limited legal recourse. A gendered impact of the pandemic is also noted.