One rarely finds accurate words to describe the pain and horrors that Black African women experience in Libya under torture and rape, followed by the never-ending negligence of UNHCR; below is the account of one of our sisters, a victim of human trafficking and rape, who has given birth to a child as a result of those crimes.

“My name is H.H.A.

I am from Gondar, Ethiopia.

In mid-2024, because of the war, my husband and I tried to enter Sudan. On the way, traffickers kidnapped us. They took us to a warehouse. When we arrived, they separated me from my husband and took us to different places. I do not know where he is.

I was kept detained in Sudan for four months. After that, I was taken to Kufra, Libya. When I arrived there, they asked for a very large amount of money for my release. I could not pay. Because of that, they beat me many times.

I was raped by several men.

Because of this, I became pregnant.

The beatings were very severe. I became sick and weak. I was bleeding from my womb and had many injuries. They kept me in that condition for a long time without treatment.

After about five months, because I was very sick, they brought me with other people to Tripoli. When I arrived, I was extremely weak. Some Ethiopians helped me.

When I recovered a little, I went to UNHCR. They allowed me to enter the office once. They registered me and gave me a document. There was no interpreter. Nothing was explained to me and no help was given. I was sent away.

When I tried to return later, they refused to let me enter the building, even though I was clearly sick.

During this time, my health became worse again. One day I collapsed on the street. I was arrested and detained for fifteen days.

After my release, people I did not know took me, saying I would work for them. They brought me to their house. We did not speak the same language. I did not understand what they wanted from me. There, I was raped again.

I escaped from that place. I met some Ethiopians on the road. I stayed near them. I begged for food. I had no home, no money, and no basic needs.

I was very sick from hunger, beatings, and sexual violence. I went many times to UNHCR. They did not allow me to enter.

One day, I became extremely ill. I thought I would die. I was crying on the street. Ethiopians took me to the hospital. The doctors said I must give birth immediately. They said I was between life and death.

I gave birth by cesarean section.

My son was born prematurely. He was taken to intensive care for ten days. There was a hole in his lungs. His urine was blocked. His weight dropped below two kilograms. His body became weaker every day.

After the operation, I had no place to sleep. I moved between different houses when people allowed me. Often, I had nowhere to go.

My baby did not heal properly. I could not breastfeed him well because I had no milk. I was sick and traumatized.

Two months after giving birth, I took my baby to UNHCR. He was registered and given a document. After that, we received no support.

Now, my child and I live mostly on the street.

My son has developed serious skin diseases.

We sleep outside most nights.

We eat only when people give us food.

I need to rent a room. The cost is 1,200 Libyan dinars (about €175) per month. The landlords accept only from two months above.

My child needs urgent medical care, but hospitals refuse to accept me, this leaves me with a private clinic which requires cash money.

I have no home.

I have no protection.

I am exhausted and sick.

I am asking for help to survive and to keep my child alive.”

In her own words, her immediate needs are: safe shelter (1,200 LYD/month), food, and urgent medical care for the child. Please donate and share.