Tunisia

18 December 2024

Refugees, asylum seekers, and migrants in Tunisia have continued to face protection risks in 2024, including forced expulsions and exploitation by smugglers. In October, Tunisia was hosting 15,600 registered refugees and asylum seekers and an unknown number of migrants, primarily from East Africa, the Middle East, and Sub-Saharan Africa. Most reside in Sfax city, a key transit and settlement area. Throughout 2024, authorities have continued to forcibly relocate migrants, especially those from Sub-Saharan Africa, to remote border regions, such as Ras Jedir Ajdir and near Algeria. Those relocated lose access to food, water, or shelter. Migrants also struggle to access aid, legal protection, and integration support given limited resources and a lack of coordinated assistance. Those attempting to reach Italy undertake dangerous sea crossings given strict border controls and anti-smuggling operations, heightening the risk of fatalities. By 18 December, 1,658 people were reported dead or missing throughout 2024. (Small Arms Survey 31/10/2024, UNHCR accessed 18/12/2024, IOM accessed 18/12/2024)

08 May 2024

On 2 May 2024, security forces arrested and forcibly relocated at least 400 migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers, including women and children, to desert areas near the Algerian border. Most of them were from Chad, Ethiopia, South Sudan, and Sudan. Reports indicate that they were left about 5km northwest of Jendouba city. Information on their needs are unclear, but they are without food and water. Access to other services, such as healthcare and shelter, is likely challenging. By 2 May, these people were setting a protest camp outside the UNHCR and IOM offices in Lac zone of Tunis governorate, as they did not have access to formal shelter or housing. Until 31 March, there were more than 16,300 refugees and asylum seekers registered with UNHCR, most of whom were from Sudan. Mednine and Tunis governorates were hosting the largest numbers of refugees and asylum seekers. (The National 07/05/2024, AJ 03/05/2024, UNHCR 02/04/2024)

06 December 2023

At least 75,900 migrants as at October 2023 and 9,400 registered refugees as at February in Tunisia continue to struggle with accessing needs, such as shelter, food, NFIs, and livelihoods. Temperatures are dropping, and the rainy season has started, making shelter needs urgent. People report sleeping in public areas such as parks, empty buildings, and outside UN organisations’ offices with no tents. They need mattresses and blankets. WASH facilities and food access are also unavailable. There are mostly no livelihood opportunities because of a lack of documentation, which also increases the risk of arbitrary detention for migrants and asylum seekers. Incoming migrants are able to register as refugees, but the process can be protracted. Local volunteers usually respond to some humanitarian needs, but many gaps are left. (Al Jazeera 01/12/2023, TNH 06/11/2023, FTDES accessed 05/12/2023)

19 September 2023

Tunisian security forces in Sfax forcibly removed about 500 sub-Saharan migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers from Bab Al-Jebli square, where they had been staying since the eviction from their homes in July 2023. Over 200 people were also detained while preparing to depart for Europe. Some people have been moved to remote areas where there is a lack of food, water, and shelter. (The New Arab 18/09/2023, Africa News 18/09/2023)

17 August 2023

Since the second week of July 2023, an estimated 150 migrants and asylum seekers have crossed daily from Tunisia to Al Assah, a remote and desert area inside the Libyan borders. They suffer from the impact of the heatwaves affecting the area and need food, water, shelter, and healthcare services. (Al Jazeera 09/08/2023, IFRC 31/07/2023)

24 July 2023

Migrants staying in makeshift camps in Tunisia are struggling with high temperatures, which have reached 50° C, when the average for July is usually just 33° C. There is a lack of water and shelter. Food supplies that are not stored properly are getting spoiled. There are also increasing risks of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. (Al Jazeera 24/07/2023, The New Arab 26/07/2023)

10 July 2023

Increasing racial tensions in Tunisia have resulted in an estimated 1,200 migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers being expelled to Ben Guerdane, a militarised Tunisia-Libya border area. The group was removed from Sfax after the killing of a Tunisian man allegedly linked to attacks against black Africans transiting the area. Racially motivated attacks against the transitory population have increased throughout 2023. Collective punishment has left the current group in a remote border area, stranded under hot temperatures without food or water and facing further violence. They are not allowed to return to Tunisia, and Libyan border guards are preventing onward movement. Among the people expelled, there are 29 children and three pregnant women. The nationalities of migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers are Cameroonian, Chadian, Guinean, Ivorian, Malian, Senegalese, and Sudanese. Water, food, shelter, and access to medical care are urgently needed. (HRW 06/07/2023, Al Jazeera 10/07/2023, Reuters 07/07/2023)