Ambassador Oya Tuncalı, the London Representative of the Turkish Republic of North Cyprus, has addressed the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on lives in a special message to Turkish Cypriots in Britain.
The message, given in full below, acknowledges the “important changes to our lives”, and describes staying at home in self-isolation as an opportunity “to understand the meaning of love much more deeply, and to better appreciate and value those whom we love.”
Issued on the weekend experts believe will see the COVID-19 pandemic peak in Britain, with an estimated one thousand people a day dying from the virus, Ambassador Tuncalı acknowledges the losses within the Turkish Cypriot community too.
The ambassador extends her “deepest condolences” to the to the bereaved families, while wishing the British Turkish Cypriot community “strength during this period”.
TRNC Ambassador Oya Tuncalı’s message in full
Dear citizens living in the United Kingdom,
The rapid escalation of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in the United Kingdom is a challenging and difficult period for all our citizens living here. As a result, we have all had to make some important changes to our lives.
Staying at home has enabled all of us to understand the meaning of love much more deeply, and to better appreciate and value those whom we love.
Naturally we are all concerned and worried. However, we must all work together, with patience and solidarity, to overcome these difficult and challenging days.
Many of our citizens within the Turkish Cypriot community have sadly lost their lives as a result of the disease. We are deeply saddened by these losses and extend our deepest condolences to the families of those who have passed and wish our community strength during this period. May they rest in peace. We also wish a speedy recovery to those that are ill because of COVID-19.
In order to prevent further deaths within the Turkish Cypriot community and to delay the spread of the Coronavirus it is vital that we protect ourselves and our loved ones by following the advice of the UK Government. We must, therefore, continue to stay at home and practice social distancing. During these extremely challenging times, it is imperative to focus on staying positive and constructive, as well as extending support to those who are less fortunate.
Following efforts to repatriate our students and citizens back home to the TRNC in line with certain criteria, the TRNC London Representative Office has continued working from home during this period, and will continue to support and assist the Turkish Cypriot community during these days.
I extend my warm regards to all our citizens living in the United Kingdom and wish you all many good healthy days.
Oya Tuncalı
Ambassador
TRNC London Representative
