Welcome to the Unit for the Rehabilitation of Victims of Torture homepage

The Unit for the Rehabilitation of Victims of Torture (URVT) is a project currently funded by the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture (UNVFVT) which aims to support and promote the empowerment and rehabilitation of torture victims with a focus on refugees and asylum seekers.

The funding for the establishment of URVT came originally from the European Council decision to establish the European Refugee Fund (ERF) II for the period 2005 – 2010. In June 2006, this initial grant aimed at the establishment and training of our first URVT staff. The actual operation of URVT started with the second ERF grant given in January 2007.

Cyprus has been participating in the ERF since 2004, with the Asylum Service being appointed as the responsible authority for its implementation. The national programme for the implementation of the ERF is mainly focused on actions in the areas of reception of asylum seekers and integration of persons enjoying a form of international protection (including refugees) currently residing in Cyprus.

URVT is operated under the Humanitarian Affairs Unit of Future Worlds Center, (legally registered as Cyprus Neuroscience & Technology Institute) a non profit, non-governmental organization established in Cyprus. One of the most important beliefs of the Future Worlds Center is that by befriending and understanding people of different cultures, backgrounds and experiences, the future world becomes a better place.

Thank you for visiting the URVT website. Please have a look around and contact us if you have any input, comments, contributions or suggestions.

**Fundraising Event**

It has been three years since the Unit for the Rehabilitation of Victims of Torture (URVT) was founded by the Future Worlds Center’s initiative and it is evident that many individuals benefit from the Unit’s services. URVT’s mission is to assist the victims of torture and their families by providing multidisciplinary treatment and rehabilitation services, and to raise public awareness of issues concerning torture and rehabilitation. This is achieved by utilizing a treatment approach which integrates a full range of services including medical treatment, psychological support, legal counselling, and other social services. Τhe ones who most commonly suffer torture belong to vulnerable populations such as: refugees and asylum seekers, internally displaced persons, persons in detention, those living in poverty, street children, as well as ethnic and religious minorities.