DEFENCE Minister Fotis Fotiou expressed his shock at the hundreds of people queuing up to get aid from the Larnaca community market, after his visit there yesterday.
The minister said he expected plans to give surplus ready-meals from army camps around the island to needy families to come into effect very soon.
“I am shocked at the number of people here at the market but I am truly pleased by the work done by the Mayor, the town council, volunteers and everyone else who has contributed which is truly deserving of congratulations,” Fotiou said.
He also thanked the Red Cross for the work they were doing for the needy on the island. “We must all contribute to this work so we can give hope to the people that come here every day who need our help,” he added.
The minister went on to say that the message which needed to be sent out was that Cyprus would survive. “We need to dig-in, to repeat the miracle recovery we achieved in 1974 and we must all work hard together to achieve what the people need, the rebuilding of our economy in order to give new hope,” he said.
Fotiou handed over surplus army food to Larnaca Mayor, Andreas Louroudjiadis and representatives from the Red Cross.
Larnaca’s Mayor expressed his pleasure at the initiative taken by members of the National Guard to donate food which had not been consumed at army camps.
“I would like to wholeheartedly thank the defence minister for taking the initiative but also for showing his sensitivity as these actions come from our children, the children who are serving in the National Guard which demonstrates that with solidarity, we can stand together side by side, as a people and community,” Louroudjiadis said.
Head of the Red Cross in Famagusta, Kika Konia, also thanked Fotiou for the “concern and sensitivity” he had shown. “We would like to reassure people that with this donation we will try to support as many families as possible during these difficult times,” she said.
Head of the Red Cross in Larnaca, Aliki Neocleous also thanked the minister, adding that the Red Cross helped out around 100 families by giving free breakfasts to students at two secondary schools in Larnaca. “Any donations of money or food are always welcome,” she said.
Defence Minister Fotis Fotiou (left) on a visit to the Larnaca community market yesterday with surplus army food