In southern Lebanon, a devastating Israeli air strike not only took the life of Fatima Samuella Tholley’s employer but also destroyed everything she owned, shattering her dream of returning to Sierra Leone to escape the escalating violence. Along with her cousin, Fatima made a harrowing journey to Beirut in an ambulance, seeking refuge amidst the chaos of the bombarded city.
Lost and fearful, the cousins found shelter in a small storage room of an empty apartment, offered by a compassionate stranger they had encountered on their way. Cut off from TV updates and unable to speak French or Arabic, they could only witness the relentless bombardment from their window.
The recent surge in violence in Lebanon has led to the deaths of over 1,000 people and displaced hundreds of thousands, as Israel targets Hezbollah strongholds across the country. The plight of migrant workers is especially dire, as their legal status is often tied to their employers under the “kafala” sponsorship system, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation and unable to leave the country without their documents.
Stranded in Beirut without passports or belongings, migrant workers like Fatima, Mariatu, and Patricia face uncertainty and danger. Forced to sleep on the streets, relying on the kindness of strangers for food and shelter, they are haunted by the constant threat of bombings and the unknown fate of their loved ones.
With Sierra Leone authorities working to assist citizens in Lebanon, the future remains uncertain for these migrant workers caught in a foreign land amidst conflict and chaos.