Filenews 14 December 2021 - by Despina Psilou
Black Christmas, in conditions of unprecedented poverty and precariousness, is awaiting thousands of our fellow citizens this year's festive season.
The situation, as the president of the Pancyprian Volunteerism Coordinating Council (PSSE) Elias Demetriou mentions to "F", is worse than last year when we were in the first years of the pandemic and at the same time, worse than the period of the economic crisis and the "haircut" of deposits in 2013.
As part of the "Adopt a family at Christmas" campaign, Mr. Demetriou estimates that at least 2,500 families will turn to help, while students are in need for a second year.
"Demand is higher than last year, due to unemployment and the reduction of working hours in many households, resulting in a shrinking income. Last Christmas, more than 2,500 families needed help. This year, it looks like we will exceed those numbers," he said and clarified that there are more than 5,000 children in need of support.
"The new phenomenon, which we started recording last year for the first time, is that among those who ask for help are students. They come to us so that they can secure the festive table, the turkey and the dishes", said Mr. Demetriou. He estimated that the reason behind the economic scarcity of young people is that jobs were cut due to the pandemic measures.
Stating that the campaign is being implemented for the eighth year, he said that "we are in a worse situation than the period of the 2013 financial crisis. Then many had money aside and some compote. This money has been used. At the same time, there are no more jobs."
However, he said with great satisfaction, there are social reflexes and the desire to offer help. "Both individual citizens, as well as organised groups and companies, have shown great interest in helping. In fact, they have adapted to the needs created by the pandemic and are offering gift vouchers. It is about coupons from supermarkets to secure food, from patisseries to secure Christmas sweets and also from toy stores."
"We must all help, everyone as we can," Mr. Demetriou said, adding that it is particularly important "to stand by the volunteers and work collectively to secure the future of the next generation."
Those interested can offer gift boxes from supermarkets and shops, in order to obtain from the families, products that are considered necessary for the festive table. The volunteer corps have been designated as collection points.
Nicosia: Soudas 11 in Strovolos, telephone 22512602.
Limassol: 1st April 14 Agia Fyla, phone 25737761.
Larnaca: 23 Kithaironos St., phone 24650525.
Paphos: Aristotelis Savva 46 Anavarogos, telephone 26953725.
Famagusta: Georgiou Katsiaris 21 Liopetri, telephone 99124521
Kyrenia in 97743185.
