‘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 struggle.” He, himself, is of Lebanese heritage.
For a lot of households, materials help from the Maronite group has turn out to be essential, he says: “Many arrived with out even winter garments, pondering they might keep just a few weeks, and they’re nonetheless right here. We assist them pay the lease, present authorized help, assist with medical bills. These are the fundamental wants that individuals have”.
As he’s talking, his cellphone 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!”
A number of steps away from St Lazarus Sq., a Lebanese bakery is busy with clients. From early morning, they bake bread with za’atar, a combination 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 dwell 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 along with his family. “It began to be too harmful to remain there [Lebanon]. Right here, we dwell effectively, however sadly we can’t really feel protected additionally right here, struggle will not be thus far.”