Tunisia

26 March 2025

An estimated 600 refugees, migrants, and asylum seekers have been stranded in isolated areas on Tunisia’s western borders, likely in the vicinity of Haidra and Djebel Ghorra, since at least 17 March 2025. They were rescued from a boat in the Mediterranean Sea on 16–17 March while trying to reach Italy and then taken to Sfax before being forcibly displaced to remote areas. Security forces have confiscated their personal belongings, including water and telephones. They urgently need protection, food, water, and medical services. Expelling migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers to remote areas without access to services has become a trend in Tunisia since at least February 2023, following President Kais Saied’s crackdown on the demographic. Agreements with the EU to manage migration flows have also contributed to worsening the situation. Since then, an unknown number of migrants have died in remote areas near the border with Algeria. (IM 24/03/2025, AJ 22/02/2023, AI 04/10/2024)

15 January 2025

Sub-Saharan migrants continue to need medical services and shelter in Tunisia, especially as winter temperatures drop. The police are dismantling camps, forcing migrants to stay in makeshift shelters. In December 2024, two sub-Saharan migrants died from carbon monoxide poisoning near Sfax. The deaths, caused by fires lit for warmth in poorly ventilated makeshift shelters, highlight the challenges faced by migrants living in these conditions. (Info Migrants 09/01/2025, TRT 29/02/2024)

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)