Day Four: Zarzis, Tunisia

Now the organization running those flights, the International Organization for Migration, is running out of money for the operation. If there is no new injection of funds, the flights will be halted come Sunday.

The impact of this on those I met today could be devastating. I spoke with a group of Nigerians who had finally arrived at Shousha after having camped for weeks outside the airport in Tripoli trying to get out of Libya. These people were happy to be out of the violence there. But they want to go home. And they are frustrated that no-one has told them when that might happen.

I saw some of these frustrations boil over at the camp today. A group of about twenty Nigerians were arguing with some Tunisian Red Crescent workers who were operating outside a supply tent. The Nigerians said that all they wanted was some soap and a change of clothes. Looking through the gap in the tent, they could see the much longed for supplies. But the Tunisians in charge of the tent were unyielding, and a shouting match quickly developed.

I have no idea what the right and the wrong was of that particular situation. But what was clear to me was that the patience of those Nigerians was wearing thin. And the ones I spoke to kept telling me over and over again: “We just want to go home.”

And they should. Shousha was set up as a temporary transit camp, not a longer term refugee camp. It is ill equipped to hold thousands of people for any length of time.   

To date, the security situation in the camp has been good. But I fear how the people whom I met today will react if they learn that their much hoped for return home might be delayed indefinitely.

I fear for their morale. I fear for their health. And I fear for their safety.