‘Many arrived with out even winter garments’
“The vast majority of Lebanese which might be residing 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 battle.” He, himself, is of Lebanese heritage.
For a lot of households, materials help from the Maronite group has develop into essential, he says: “Many arrived with out even winter garments, pondering they might keep a couple of 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. “Positive, 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!”
Just a few 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 all the time labored in renovation,” says Rony Frem, 52, proprietor of the bakery, who’s getting 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 a hope, and the scenario is worsening. Those that can are leaving the nation.”
In August, Rony’s brother arrived on the island together with his family. “It began to be too harmful to remain there [Lebanon]. Right here, we stay effectively, however sadly we can not really feel protected additionally right here, battle isn’t thus far.”
