The Wait

The Stranded Migrants Trapped in Limbo

Abdullah Yahya, a 20-year-old Sudanese migrant, recounted his harrowing experiences in Libya while sitting in a café in Zarzis, Tunisia. Captured and imprisoned by militias, he endured severe beatings and was forced to pay for his release.

Many migrants like Abdullah, fleeing conflict and seeking better lives in Europe, end up in Zarzis after failed crossings. Struggling with limited resources and support, Abdullah and others live in precarious conditions, waiting for a chance to move forward​.

Zarzis, Tunisia. 2020.

Zarzis is a coastal city in soed in their attempt to cross by sea to Europe, in southeastern Tunisia, about 50 kilometers from the Libyan border. Many migrants end up here after escaping from Libya, or being rescued. - Paula González Gavilanes
Zarzis is a coastal city in soed in their attempt to cross by sea to Europe, in southeastern Tunisia, about 50 kilometers from the Libyan border. Many migrants end up here after escaping from Libya, or being rescued.
Abdullah Yahya, is one of hundreds of thousands of migrants, from Sub-Saharan Africa, who cross conflict-stricken Libya. Hundreds have ended up in Zarzis, a port city in southeastern Tunisia not far from the Libyan border. - Paula González Gavilanes
Abdullah Yahya, is one of hundreds of thousands of migrants, from Sub-Saharan Africa, who cross conflict-stricken Libya. Hundreds have ended up in Zarzis, a port city in southeastern Tunisia not far from the Libyan border.
When Abdullah finally escaped the prison where he was held in Zawiya, Libya, he and friends took a car towards Tunisia, then walked to the border post. Abdullah walked another twelve hours to the city of Medenine. - Paula González Gavilanes
When Abdullah finally escaped the prison where he was held in Zawiya, Libya, he and friends took a car towards Tunisia, then walked to the border post. Abdullah walked another twelve hours to the city of Medenine.
Abdullah holds one of the vouchers which he receives every week to get by. It's issued by IOM, and worth around 11 USD. - Paula González Gavilanes
Abdullah holds one of the vouchers which he receives every week to get by. It's issued by IOM, and worth around 11 USD.
Philomène fled the Democratic Republic of the Congo. After eight hellish months in Libya, she attempted to cross to Europe. Her boat sank. She was rescued and brought to Zarzis. Now she works picking and processing olives. - Paula González Gavilanes
Philomène fled the Democratic Republic of the Congo. After eight hellish months in Libya, she attempted to cross to Europe. Her boat sank. She was rescued and brought to Zarzis. Now she works picking and processing olives.
The fishermen of southeastern Tunisia have become rescuers, saving migrants leaving Libyan shores over the past decade. Saving people whose boat motors have failed or are sinking. - Paula González Gavilanes
The fishermen of southeastern Tunisia have become rescuers, saving migrants leaving Libyan shores over the past decade. Saving people whose boat motors have failed or are sinking.
This cemetery was built by local volunteers, specifically to bury the bodies of migrants found in the waters near Zarzis , or that have washed ashore. 457 graves have already been dug, awaiting more bodies from the sea. - Paula González Gavilanes
This cemetery was built by local volunteers, specifically to bury the bodies of migrants found in the waters near Zarzis , or that have washed ashore. 457 graves have already been dug, awaiting more bodies from the sea.
In the corner of the cemetery, a small room is being adapted as a refrigerator to store bodies when local forensic facilities are overwhelmed. - Paula González Gavilanes
In the corner of the cemetery, a small room is being adapted as a refrigerator to store bodies when local forensic facilities are overwhelmed.
This cemetery is already the third of its kind build in Zarzis. The first two ran out of capacity, and the volunteers expect that soon, so will this one. - Paula González Gavilanes
This cemetery is already the third of its kind build in Zarzis. The first two ran out of capacity, and the volunteers expect that soon, so will this one.
Abdullah waits. Returning to Libya is not an option. But he can’t leave Zarzis either, saying it would cost more than he could earn. Going back to Sudan is also not an option. - Paula González Gavilanes
Abdullah waits. Returning to Libya is not an option. But he can’t leave Zarzis either, saying it would cost more than he could earn. Going back to Sudan is also not an option.
Zarzis is a coastal city in soed in their attempt to cross by sea to Europe, in southeastern Tunisia, about 50 kilometers from the Libyan border. Many migrants end up here after escaping from Libya, or being rescued. - Paula González Gavilanes
Abdullah Yahya, is one of hundreds of thousands of migrants, from Sub-Saharan Africa, who cross conflict-stricken Libya. Hundreds have ended up in Zarzis, a port city in southeastern Tunisia not far from the Libyan border. - Paula González Gavilanes
When Abdullah finally escaped the prison where he was held in Zawiya, Libya, he and friends took a car towards Tunisia, then walked to the border post. Abdullah walked another twelve hours to the city of Medenine. - Paula González Gavilanes
Abdullah holds one of the vouchers which he receives every week to get by. It's issued by IOM, and worth around 11 USD. - Paula González Gavilanes
Philomène fled the Democratic Republic of the Congo. After eight hellish months in Libya, she attempted to cross to Europe. Her boat sank. She was rescued and brought to Zarzis. Now she works picking and processing olives. - Paula González Gavilanes
The fishermen of southeastern Tunisia have become rescuers, saving migrants leaving Libyan shores over the past decade. Saving people whose boat motors have failed or are sinking. - Paula González Gavilanes
This cemetery was built by local volunteers, specifically to bury the bodies of migrants found in the waters near Zarzis , or that have washed ashore. 457 graves have already been dug, awaiting more bodies from the sea. - Paula González Gavilanes
In the corner of the cemetery, a small room is being adapted as a refrigerator to store bodies when local forensic facilities are overwhelmed. - Paula González Gavilanes
This cemetery is already the third of its kind build in Zarzis. The first two ran out of capacity, and the volunteers expect that soon, so will this one. - Paula González Gavilanes
Abdullah waits. Returning to Libya is not an option. But he can’t leave Zarzis either, saying it would cost more than he could earn. Going back to Sudan is also not an option. - Paula González Gavilanes
Story published in VICE News. CLICK HERE to read it. - Paula González Gavilanes
Story published in VICE News. CLICK HERE to read it.
Publicado en El Salto. Haz CLICK AQUÍ para leerla. - Paula González Gavilanes
Publicado en El Salto. Haz CLICK AQUÍ para leerla.

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