Stories of survivors

Aisha*, 39, comes from Douala, Cameroon. A women’s rights activist, she had to flee her country after being arrested and tortured for denouncing violence against women in the war-torn English-speaking regions. Her exile took her to Russia before she tried to rebuild her life in Libya.

Shararah* is a 25-year-old Muay Thai fighter from Afghanistan. She was rescued with 128 other survivors in a complex rescue operation in the Ionian Sea, close to the Italian coast, on December 15th, 2024. The survivors told our team that they had been at sea for nearly six days, departing from Izmir, Turkey between December 8th and 9th.

Suad, 23, a Syrian refugee, was rescued by the Ocean Viking after a perilous journey from Libya. She shares her story of survival, longing for reunion with her husband in Germany, and hope for a peaceful future.

Asmaan* and Moska*, sisters from Afghanistan, fled Taliban persecution and unimaginable hardships, including the premature birth of baby Arman. Rescued by the Ocean Viking on December 15, 2024, they now dream of safety and a future in Europe. Read their powerful story of survival and hope.

Mercury*, 20 years old, had to leave Tigray due to the conflict. She decided to flee to Libya in the hope of finding work to support her family. Once in Libya, she was kidnapped and imprisoned several times.

Marina* was among the 75 women, men and children rescued by SOS MEDITERRANEE during the night of November 3, 2023. They were on an overcrowded sailing boat, adrift, in the Ionian Sea that had departed from Turkey a week before. They ran out of food and water for almost two days before being rescued.