Life saving support is now needed

At the end of March, everyone in Cyprus was required to stay at home and there is now a nighttime curfew. Our Dignity Centre, which was a critical lifeline to over 250 people a week, has had to close.

We are now concerned about asylum seekers and refugees who have no means of buying food. Working with Caritas, the Cyprus Refugee Council and the local UNHCR we have identified 60 of the most vulnerable asylum seekers who have no means of support during the lockdown and will starve without help.

We have two fantastic Refugee Support aid workers - Paula and Laura - who are bulk buying essential supplies, putting together the food packs in a highly controlled sanitary environment and are now delivering to the homes where the vulnerable people are isolated.

We are distributing two types of weekly food pack:

If they have a kitchen: Tuna, Tinned chicken, White beans, Baked beans, Tomato paste/chunks, Sweetcorn, Rice, Pasta, Maggie, Milk

If they have no kitchen: Water, Bread rusks, Jam, Tuna, Tinned chicken, Baked beans, Sweetcorn, Canned soup, Milk, Noodles

Each pack costs 13 euros, so for the 60 people we have initially identified, it is costing 780 euros a week. We anticipate that number rising as more vulnerable people come to our attention and need support.

We have committed to doing this for as long as the lock down lasts. Please do what you can to help us.