‘Many arrived with out even winter garments’
“Nearly all of Lebanese which might be dwelling in Cyprus are settled round Larnaca, all alongside the gulf till Paralimni,” explains Father Akl Abou Nader, who’s sitting at his desk within the rectory of Saint Joseph Church on St Lazarus Sq. in Larnaca, a metropolis within the south of Cyprus.
“There are about 35,000 Lebanese on this space and between 13,000-15,000 of them are Maronites. Our group has grown in numbers due to the conflict.” He, himself, is of Lebanese heritage.
For a lot of households, materials help from the Maronite group has grow to be essential, he says: “Many arrived with out even winter garments, pondering they’d keep just a few weeks, and they’re nonetheless right here. We assist them pay the hire, present authorized help, assist with medical bills. These are the essential wants that folks have”.
As he’s talking, his telephone buzzes. “Certain, I can translate into Arabic!” he exclaims into the handset. Then, turning to us with a smile, he provides: “Sorry, a Lebanese simply arrived – wants assist with papers!”
A number of steps away from St Lazarus Sq., a Lebanese bakery is busy with prospects. From early morning, they bake bread with za’atar, a mix of herbs – primarily oregano and thyme.
“I got here right here 21 years in the past, I at all times labored in renovation,” says Rony Frem, 52, proprietor of the bakery, who’s making ready to go as much as the church to distribute bread and different baked items after mass. “However in 2017 I began this store.”
Rony used to stay in Beirut however he’s initially from Jezzin, additional south. He got here to Cyprus, he says, as a result of he noticed no future in Lebanon: “There isn’t any hope, and the state of affairs is worsening. Those that can are leaving the nation.”
In August, Rony’s brother arrived on the island along with his circle of relatives. “It began to be too harmful to remain there [Lebanon]. Right here, we stay properly, however sadly we can’t really feel protected additionally right here, conflict will not be up to now.”
