‘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 neighborhood has grown in numbers due to the conflict.” He, himself, is of Lebanese heritage.
For a lot of households, materials assist from the Maronite neighborhood has grow to be essential, he says: “Many arrived with out even winter garments, pondering they’d keep a couple of weeks, and they’re nonetheless right here. We assist them pay the lease, present authorized assist, assist with medical bills. These are the essential 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!”
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 at all times 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 is no such thing as a 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 family. “It began to be too harmful to remain there [Lebanon]. Right here, we dwell properly, however sadly we can’t really feel secure additionally right here, conflict will not be up to now.”
