Officials look for family of Kurdish boy believed abandoned in Cyprus
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – A young boy found alone in Cyprus is believed to be Kurdish and officials are trying to locate his family.
"A Kurdish child aged between two to three years who had been separated from his family has been found and now put into a child care centre," said Ari Jalal, head of the Kurdistan branch of the Iraqi Migrants Federation.
The boy only speaks and understands Kurdish, he added.
It is unclear how the boy was separated from his family or why they were in Cyprus. Cyprus officials informed Jalal’s office that the child had been found near an airport.
They suspect he may have been intentionally abandoned, “Because if he really did have a family, the relevant authorities would notify us to look after him,” said Jalal.
The Iraqi Migrants Federation has published a photograph of the boy, hoping to locate his family.
"We are calling on the child’s parents and relatives to call us as soon as possible,” said Jalal.
Thousands from the Kurdistan Region have travelled to Europe, both legally and illegally. Many have lost their lives in the sea between Turkey and Greece.
"A Kurdish child aged between two to three years who had been separated from his family has been found and now put into a child care centre," said Ari Jalal, head of the Kurdistan branch of the Iraqi Migrants Federation.
The boy only speaks and understands Kurdish, he added.
It is unclear how the boy was separated from his family or why they were in Cyprus. Cyprus officials informed Jalal’s office that the child had been found near an airport.
They suspect he may have been intentionally abandoned, “Because if he really did have a family, the relevant authorities would notify us to look after him,” said Jalal.
The Iraqi Migrants Federation has published a photograph of the boy, hoping to locate his family.
"We are calling on the child’s parents and relatives to call us as soon as possible,” said Jalal.
Thousands from the Kurdistan Region have travelled to Europe, both legally and illegally. Many have lost their lives in the sea between Turkey and Greece.