As a part of the process of preparing its first Mission Strategy, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) office in Cyprus was required to prepare the FAA 119 Biodiversity Analysis report in order to comply with Section 119 of the Foreign Assistance Act (FAA).

DevTech was the primary author of the final report, which was prepared for USAID through a Task Order under the Environmental Policy and Institutional Strengthening (EPIQ II) Indefinite Quantity Contract. The report provides the reader with a thorough view of Cyprus from an environmental perspective, focusing on biodiversity and environmental issues. Considerable effort was taken to accurately represent the environmental issues facing Cyprus. The findings and recommendations are presented a manner to be consistent with USAID’s Strategic Objective, “conditions to foster a durable settlement in Cyprus are strengthened” and to work within the existing framework of the Mission’s portfolio.

The findings in the report are based on information gathered during interviews and site visits to the Greek Cypriot Community (GCC) in the south and the Turkish Cypriot Community (TCC) in the north. Visits include the Salt Lake in Larnaca, around the Paphos region and Akamas Peninsula in the south and the “new road” to the Karpaz Peninsula and west to Lefka in the north.