CIVIL DEFENCE head Christos Kyriakides yesterday confirmed a total of 47,000 people evacuated from Lebanon had so far come to Cyprus, 41,000 of whom had already departed for their countries of preference.
Speaking to the Cyprus News Agency [CNA] he said that the civil defence was currently putting up 1,700 Europeans and Canadians, while 4,300 were staying in hotels or other accommodation arranged by their embassies.
Kyriakides added there were currently 245 Lebanese citizens staying in hotels. He noted that many came to Cyprus and then flew on to other destinations, and that they had not requested anything.
“When they do, we will look into the matter,” he said.
Louis Cruise Lines has also announced its cruise ship Princesa Marissa will be loaded with 70 tonnes of Doctors of the World humanitarian aid, mostly medicines, destined for Beirut.
This will be the third Louis Cruise Lines shipment of humanitarian aid to the people of Lebanon.
Two of the company’s cruise ships are participating in evacuation operations on behalf of the Canadian government, with the consent of which the aid is being shipped out.
The civil defence head said more Lebanese refugees were expected but could not give specific figures, and pointed out that if the passage for the refugees leaving Lebanon remained open, then the influx would be stable, but if the cut-off areas opened, then “things will change and there will be many people”.
Kyriakides said that the civil defence was currently hosting around 1,700 people spread out across six of its premises, and said there were times when 5,000 people were hosted.
Four of the premises are in Larnaca, and one each in the villages of Achna and Frenaros. Food and accommodation was offered in all six, he said.
“We are checking for any problems. At each place where we host the people there are civil defence officers monitoring the situation and if a health problem occurs we take them to hospital.
If the air conditioning breaks down we fix it. If some people have to be moved, we do so,” he said.
Kyriakides also said that the Red Cross was helping out with the catering at Larnaca Port.
A French Embassy press release said yesterday four warships carrying a total 2,000 French evacuees from Lebanon are due to dock in Larnaca today.
The Jean de Vienne and Jean-Bart frigates, the tank landing ship Sirocco and the helicopter carrier Mistral are expected at Larnaca port at 6am.
The first flight out of Cyprus transporting the French citizens back to Paris is scheduled for 12 noon today. A further six flights have been scheduled for tomorrow.
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