RS Express – Supporting Refugees In Cyprus

Dignity in Cyprus

Last week, after 9 days in Cyprus, we managed to secure a building to open our first community centre for refugees. Located in the old part of Nicosia, we are renting three floors of space that will allow us to organise activities, and offer resources such as washing machines and showers to those who need it.

This is a very exciting project which is much needed for the thousand of refugees stuck in Nicosia, who have few places for them to meet and socialise.

We’ve got lots to do to get the Dignity Centre ready. Luckily, we have great volunteers already digging in to the project, but we need your help too.

We are looking for volunteers to join us for at least a week for the rest of April and early May, as well as volunteers to join us for a minimum of two weeks for the rest of the summer.

If you’re interested in supporting refugees in Cyprus, please read our volunteers stories and get in touch if you would like to get involved.

Image may contain: 5 people, people smiling, child

Refugee stories from camp

‘All things are better with Refugee Support – everyone can see and knows the people at Refugee Europe work hard. They respect us and that’s what makes them so good.’

Meet Suleiman and his four fantastically cute kids aged 9, 4, 3 and 1. They and his wife, Hala, have been at Katsikas camp for over a year.

Previously from Deir al Zour in Syria, where Suleiman worked as a butcher, the family fled that city was taken over by Da’esh, and the city was flattened. Before this, the city had been under the control of the army, who rendered the city uninhabitable, with  no schools or hospitals.

The family made the dangerous journey to Turkey, and then made an even more risky journey crossing over to Lesvos Greece, where their youngest child was born.

Suleiman has ten brothers, three of who are in Europe. The rest are still in Syria, as is his wife’s family.

The family hope to go to Germany, and have their interview for asylum this April. Suleiman has his truck driving license so hopes to get a job driving trucks in Germany. We have our fingers crossed for a positive outcome after all this time.

Image may contain: 5 people, people smiling, child

Keeping up with Katsikas

We’re making changes at Katsikas to enable residents on camp to utilise our space. This week, the area that we are moving our free shop too began its transformation with a new coat of paint!

Image may contain: one or more people and people standing

Run for refugees

Well done to this year’s Brighton Marathon team –  Paul Hutchings, Saoirse Walsh, Benny Bruce and Emily Thompson – who have raised over £3,000 for our work in Greece and Cyprus. Thank you, and we hope you are recovering well!

Image may contain: 3 people, people smiling, people standing and outdoor

Thanks for reading!

Please contact us today at info@refugeesupporteu.com if you’d like to find out more about supporting refugees in Cyprus and Greece.

Refugee Support

Share this:

Related stories

Join Our Community

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

There are so many things you can do to support refugees. Sign up now and be part of our global community of volunteers, activists and people who care.