Thousands of wealthy Lebanese have left their country in the past two years, taking refuge in Cyprus, which is about 200 kilometers away by air, to escape the hellish crises plaguing their homeland, including power outages, shortages of fuel and medicine, as well as political and social unrest. Those who have fled express gratitude for circumstances that spared them from resorting to human traffickers and perilous boat journeys across the Mediterranean to reach European shores. Among the emigrants is Celine Al-Basha, an architect who moved with her family of four to the Mediterranean island in August 2020, and Nadine Khlash Maalouf, who arrived with her husband and two children four months ago. They are part of 12,000 Lebanese who left their country for Cyprus in the past two years, having flown in under 50 minutes to start businesses, buy or rent homes, and enroll their children in schools. Maalouf, speaking to the Associated Press, said, "We were lucky to be able to come." She added, "We are doing our best here as the Lebanese community to support our families and friends back home, so it's not as if we ran away and turned our backs on those in need of help."
Thousands of Lebanese, including teachers, doctors, and nurses, have left the country amid a devastating economic crisis that has plunged two-thirds of the population into poverty since October 2019. Migration accelerated after the massive explosion at the Beirut port in August of the previous year, which killed at least 216 people and destroyed numerous residential areas. Lebanon has been experiencing a severe economic crisis for nearly two years, classified by the World Bank as one of the worst in the world since 1850. Lebanese people are unable to withdraw their money from banks due to restrictions arising from liquidity shortages, and the Lebanese pound has lost more than ninety percent of its value, leading many to lose their jobs. Meanwhile, power cuts occur most hours of the day and night, and there is no fuel available in the market to operate generators, affecting every aspect of daily life. Additionally, the country faces drug and bread shortages, among other essential commodities. Consequently, it is not only the poor who are seeking a way out; the relatively well-off middle class has also lost faith in improving conditions in the country.
For those who can afford it, Cyprus, a member of the European Union, is an attractive option due to its proximity and the facilities it offers, including residency permits for investment amounts in real estate or business establishment. Cyprus has a rich history of welcoming Lebanese individuals, serving as a refuge during the peak of the Lebanese Civil War, which lasted 15 years. They also sought refuge there in 2006 when the island was a base for evacuating civilians during a month-long war between Hezbollah, designated as a terrorist organization by the United States, and Israel. Maalouf, 43, who moved to Cyprus with her husband and children, expressed surprise at how "easy" the relocation process was, saying, "We were afraid of this step, but the Cypriot immigration authorities made it incredibly smooth and easy."
Cypriot Interior Ministry spokesperson Louizos Michael confirmed to the Associated Press that the government has "streamlined procedures" for Lebanese citizens wishing to migrate legally "as part of humanitarian assistance" for Lebanon. Additionally, incentives are being offered to Lebanese entrepreneurs who wish to relocate their businesses to Cyprus, Michael noted, without going into further detail. Maalouf highlighted that her primary motivation was to protect her children from the dire economic situation in Lebanon and provide them with a chance for a better future, stating, "It’s terrifying when you are a mother or a father because you feel the burden and scream, I want to save my children."
For Celine Al-Basha, 47, and her family, the move was easier as they owned a holiday home purchased several years ago. Additionally, she and her husband, also an architect, established a business together, adding, "We feel a commitment to this country that has welcomed us." She stated, "Cyprus has helped us in every sense of the word, and we must give back."
Al-Basha insists she is fortunate, especially when recalling how many Lebanese feel helpless in the face of ongoing conflicts among the political elite. Previously, Lebanese Nanour Abashian, 30, mentioned that she and her husband, along with their two children, arrived at Larnaca Airport from Beirut, dragging seven large bags. She added, "My pain is very great because I left my country and my family, but I am forced to do so because I want to raise my children in dignity and ensure their future." The family temporarily moved into a friend’s house in Larnaca while awaiting to rent an apartment close to the school where they enrolled their children. In recent weeks, dozens of families have rushed to register their children in schools.
Lebanese George Abed was forced to register his three children in two different schools in Larnaca due to a lack of available spaces in one school. The man in his forties told the Associated Press, "We do not see a horizon for the school year in Lebanon. Fuel is unavailable to run generators, and teachers will not receive bonuses to be able to teach, nor will they be able to fill their cars with gasoline to go to schools..." However, the family’s struggles do not end there. George will not settle with his wife and children in Cyprus, as he works between Lebanon and Africa but will visit them on weekends. Meanwhile, the head of the trade and industry department at the Ministry of Commerce, Konstantinos Karayiouris, indicated that Cypriot authorities "launched a fast track for registering foreign companies last October," and that "this mechanism has received significant interest from Lebanese companies, with seven large and medium-sized companies in the IT and telecommunications sector registered so far, bringing along two hundred Lebanese employees." He anticipated that the number would increase by the end of the year as many employees' families would also move to the island.
