Photo: credit Giorgos Moutafis

Dr Djawad GUERROUDJ, you just got back from an evaluation mission for Doctors of the World at the border between Tunisia and Libya. What is the situation like there?

I was expecting worse. We didn’t see any casualties from the ongoing violence in Libya. It seems that the authorities are not letting the Libyan people get out of the country and they are being treated there on site… However, I also believe that those who have been injured are not fit to travel for the journey between Tripoli and the Tunisian border which remains very dangerous. However, this border area is dealing with a large number of migrants passing by. For a week now, almost every day, more than 8 to 10 000 people are crossing the border to get to Tunisia, mostly Egyptian migrants and some from Tunisia, who are working in Libya. For a few days now, many Asian workers have also been fleeing the country and crossing the border. In terms of the situation within the country itself, we still have very little information, and it is difficult to come by. Migrants arriving in Tunisia are not talking, as they are worried or afraid that if they give us information, they will not be able to return to Libya.

How are they treated? What are their health needs?

For the moment, we are managing to meet their requirements. The Tunisians are taking care of refugees and they have opened up many public structures (schools, cultural or sports centres…) so that these people can sleep there. 5 kms from the border there is also a military camp which they can go to before returning to their country. I am particularly concerned about Sub Saharan migrants (from Niger, Mali…) as we know there are large numbers of people from these countries in Libya and we don’t see them passing through Tunisia. Furthermore, the lack of psychological support for these people, given that they have seen some atrocious scenes, is worrying. However, for now, their passage through Tunisia is short term and so therefore it is difficult to plan long term support for them.

As the political crisis worsens, do you think that a humanitarian crisis is unfolding at the Libyan border?

For now, I don’t think so, not at this border area. A lot of organisations are already present there such as the ICRC or the UNHCR, with important supplies (tents, food rations, water). The solidarity efforts and also work from the Tunisians (the Red Cross, the army, NGOs, private initiatives…) are very impressive. Furthermore, refugees are promptly dealt with to help them return to their country. There are planes organised to go to Egypt and boats planned to pick them up at the port of Zarzis. However, the logistics challenge of this kind of operation for foreigners, especially Egyptians, is a huge task. As an organisation, Doctors of the World (MdM) is carefully following developments in this situation and we are on high alert. Along with several other organisations, we are waiting to get into the country itself to evaluate the situation and assist with healthcare.

credit Giorgos Moutafis

credit Giorgos Moutafis

credit Giorgos Moutafis