News
I saw dead bodies of migrants scattered across desert- Jeremiah Adelu
If there is one thing that Jeremiah Adelu would never forget easily in his life, it is his horrible experience seeking to get to Europe through the Sahara Desert.
The Libya returnee who is now the founder of Voice of Migrant Association (VOMA) a non- governmental Organisation supporting returnees, told voiceforafricanmigrants.org that his migration journey is one that has changed his life forever.
He said: “I traveled from Nigeria through the northern part of the country into Niger, heading toward Libya, which is a major transit point for migrants trying to reach Europe through the Mediterranean Sea. However, what started as a hopeful journey quickly turned into a nightmare.
Like many migrants who attempt irregular migration, the reality of the journey was far from what I imagined. At every stage of the trip, new agents appeared demanding additional money before allowing us to continue. The cost kept increasing far beyond what I had originally been told. By the time I finally reached Libya, I had spent about ₦1.15 million, far more than the initial agreement.
“One of the most frightening parts of the journey was crossing the Sahara Desert. We were packed into pickup trucks and driven across a vast desert with very little food and water. During the day, the heat was unbearable, and at night the cold was extreme. Along the way, I saw something I will never forget dead bodies of migrants scattered across the desert. Some had died from dehydration, others from exhaustion. The desert had become the final resting place for many people who once had dreams just like mine.
“When I finally arrived in Libya, the situation became even worse. Migrants were taken to detention camps and places controlled by traffickers and militias. One of the places we were held was known as the “Land of No Mercy. The conditions there were terrible. Many of us were crowded into small spaces with little food, poor sanitation, and constant fear.
People were beaten regularly, especially if they could not pay more money. Traffickers would force migrants to call their families back home while they were being beaten so their relatives could hear their cries and send money quickly. I personally experienced this. I had to call my sister while I was being beaten so that she would send money to secure my release.
Women in the camps suffered even more, as many of them were forced into prostitution. At that point, I realized that the journey I thought would bring a better life had instead become a fight just to stay alive. I experienced hardship, uncertainty, and the harsh realities many migrants face during irregular migration. These experiences exposed me to the risks of trafficking, exploitation, and extremely difficult living conditions.”
Le projet de budget de l’État norvégien pour 2027 ne prévoit pas d’affecter 1 % du revenu national brut du pays à l’aide internationale, malgré la hausse des recettes et des besoins humanitaires sans précédent, a déclaré le Conseil norvégien pour les réfugiés (NRC).
Le secrétaire général du NRC, Jan Egeland, a qualifié cette proposition de « surprenante et décevante », avertissant qu’elle envoie un mauvais signal alors que d’autres grands donateurs réduisent leur aide.
Selon M. Egeland, les réductions des financements humanitaires à l’échelle mondiale privent des millions de personnes déplacées par les conflits d’un abri adéquat, tandis que l’aide alimentaire et l’accès à l’éducation sont réduits.
La Norvège a maintenu ses contributions à l’aide au cours des deux dernières années, alors que d’autres grands donateurs annonçaient des coupes, a-t-il indiqué. Compte tenu de la richesse croissante du pays et de sa tradition humanitaire, la Norvège devrait continuer à soutenir les personnes dans le besoin, a ajouté M. Egeland.
Le NRC a appelé le Parlement norvégien à réviser le budget afin de porter les dépenses d’aide à 1 % du revenu national brut et de donner la priorité à l’aide d’urgence.
The Norwegian government’s proposed 2027 state budget does not allocate 1% of the country’s gross national income to international aid, despite rising revenues and record humanitarian needs, the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) said.
NRC Secretary General Jan Egeland called the proposal “surprising and disappointing,” warning that it sends the wrong signal as other major donors cut aid.
Egeland said global reductions in humanitarian funding were leaving millions of people displaced by conflict without adequate shelter, while food assistance and access to education were being reduced.
Norway had maintained its aid contributions over the past two years as other major donors announced cuts, he said. Given the country’s growing wealth and humanitarian tradition, Norway should continue supporting people in need, Egeland added.
The NRC urged Norway’s parliament to revise the budget to bring aid spending up to 1% of gross national income and prioritise emergency assistance.
Italian authorities have detained the search-and-rescue vessel *Sea Punk I* for 15 days and imposed a €7,500 fine following the rescue of 20 people in international waters.
The rescue took place on Thursday, 10 September 2026, near the Bouri oil platform. The vessel’s crew said the operation was conducted in coordination with Italian authorities and in line with applicable conventions and international regulations.
Authorities cited the so-called Piantedosi Decree and accused the captain of failing to follow instructions from the so-called Libyan Coast Guard. The *Sea Punk I* is an alliance partner of the Justice Fleet, a coalition of civil search-and-rescue organisations and supporters.
The Justice Fleet said the detention brings the total number of days its vessels have been blocked by Italian authorities to more than 310 since the alliance was founded in November 2025. The *Sea Punk I* is the 11th Justice Fleet vessel to be detained.
Civil search-and-rescue organisations have documented almost 80 incidents of extreme violence by Libyan militias since 2016, most attributed to the so-called Libyan Coast Guard, according to the Justice Fleet. The group also says more than 27,000 people fleeing Libya were forcibly returned there last year, in violation of international law. It said refugees and migrants in the country face rising violence and death threats.
“While extreme violence against people on the move is currently unfolding in Libya, the Italian authorities want to force us to cooperate with the so-called Libyan Coast Guard. Not with us!” said Justice Fleet spokesperson Giulia Messmer, calling for an end to European cooperation with the force.
The Justice Fleet was founded in November 2025 by 13 search-and-rescue organisations, with support from civil society groups. It says its aims include challenging the detention of rescue vessels in Italy and opposing the outsourcing of migration control to Libyan actors.
Le budget d’aide proposé par la Norvège n’atteint pas l’objectif de 1 %, selon le NRC
Norway’s proposed aid budget falls short of 1% target, NRC says
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Les autorités italiennes immobilisent un navire de sauvetage après avoir secouru 20 personnes
Italian authorities detain rescue vessel after saving 20 lives
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