Shousha Camp, under the burning Sun

From Libya to Tunisia

It was always unthinkable to go to Tunisia, all until the Libyan uprising begins. When Berlusconi launched his push back policy in May 2009, the opportunity of applying asylum in Europe also endangered. Eritrean refugees and migrant workers from many sub-Saharan countries caught in the high seas and were dumped to Libyan detentions. Humanitarian groups cried loudly, but Berlusconi and his men resisted a lot. Frustration among Eritrean refugees in Libya created another rout towards Israel via the Sinai Peninsula. Many hoped this way to be less expensive, both in human and financial cost. But, it cost beyond what was expected. Unbelievable number of Eritreans loss their lives by Bedouin traffickers and by Egyptian border patrols all over the Sinai Desert. Many others were kidnapped and forced to pay $8,000-10,000; some of these innocents killed when they can’t pay the ransom.



And many other Eritrean refugees remained closed in Libya. There was no hope seen from any direction. UNHCR was already closed, chance of asylum application in Italy dropped and at last even the way to Israel interrupted. It was in this difficult time the Libyan uprising started. An estimated of 2,000 Eritreans were in Libya and all were desperate of escaping Libyan crises. Rumors filled their minds and they desperately believed all the news related to evacuation. Two fights were possible to evacuate to Italy with the work of Abba Mussie Zerai and other Eritrean/non Eritrean activists; and in collaboration with the Catholic Church in Libya. The numbers of people crowding around the Church and the amount of pressure on Caritas work are all unforgettable. But, things goes from bad to worse, and as so the hopes for evacuation. The only ways were either to cross the Mediterranean or westward to Tunisia. Very large number of Eritreans decided to leave via the stupid sea. This was good opportunity for hundreds and they arrived safely to European Southern shores, luckily they are now in a place where they can get international protection. Yet the sea was as cruel as before and took many desperate lives. An estimated of 500 Eritreans drowned in the deep sea without any rescue, all crying for help… They died in a way of escaping death. May God receive their soul!!!

Flee to Tunisia and durable solutions



All the rest, including the one who is writing this article however decided to escape westward. To the unthinkable country, Tunisia. It was less expensive, both in human, financial and time costs. Very fortunately, there was no human cost and around 800 Eritrean refugees stepped to Tunisian soil. Thanks to the Tunisian government (the transitional government after Bin Ali), UNHCR, IOM, the Red Crescent, the Red Cross, Islamic relief, WFP, Medicine without Borders and many other nongovernmental organizations helped extremely high number of immigrants. Although the repatriation process was very slow, it returned thousands back home.

This was not the case of Eritreans, Somalis and some Ethiopian Oromo. They can’t return to their country, thus resettlement was the only durable solution. UNHCR continued to conduct Registration, RSD and resettlement interviews. Many Eritrean refugees who had pending private sponsorships to Canada and Switzerland continued to fly and seemed very encouraging. Not only this but also, UNHCR and IOM continued to resettle to third country. It is very slow, but it is better than nothing.

Current frustrations in Shousha camp

Now, weather in desert is at its maximum. Life under the tent is beyond what human can resist. It is always sandy, hot and dry. Can you please imagine the difficulty for babies, pregnant mothers and sick once? Despite the promises, the camp stayed longer time and the process of resettlement is very slow. Many Somalis returned to Libya in a desperate bid of reaching Europe and many of which loss their lives in the sea. It is feared that frustrations could push many other asylum seekers or ever recognized refugees to search solutions.


From Libya to Tunisia


On this difficult time, it also good to appreciate the resettlement initiations by USA, Canada, The Netherlands, Switzerland, Norway, Belgium, Portugal, Poland and others. It is also important to push these countries to extend their quotas and nock the doors of other countries to save the desperate from the frustrations under the burning sun. We always hope to see the sufferance of these refugees come to an end; all the new babies born under the hot tent will not remain there!