Nadia Abdu

Nadia Abdu was born in 2001 in Sudan to Eritrean parents. She left Sudan in January 2019 and arrived in Murzuq, Libya, on January 21, 2021. Shortly after her arrival, she was sold to human traffickers, who demanded a ransom of 12,000 Libyan Dinars for her, her child, and her sister. In late January, she was transferred to Bani Walid, where she endured four months in a warehouse, suffering from rape, witnessing torture and killings, and being deprived of food.

In June 2019, the Eritrean community in the diaspora raised funds to pay her ransom, which helped her reach Tripoli, where she lived with the Eritrean community in Abu Salim. To support herself, she worked as a housemaid and saved money for a sea crossing. In January 2020, Nadia and her sister traveled to Zuwara, where they were kept in a warehouse for 15 days, awaiting departure to Europe.

On February 5, 2020, they boarded a rubber dinghy with over 100 people. Tragically, the Libyan coast guard opened fire on the dinghy, resulting in the deaths of more than 40 people, including her sister. Nadia was captured and returned to Tripoli, where she was detained in Tariq Al Sika detention center. During her time there, she witnessed aid agencies distribute assistance but noted their neglect for the specific conditions of women and children.

In July 2021, with the help of UNHCR, she was released and accommodated in Gargaresh. After a raid on October 1, 2021, she escaped and sought shelter in front of the UNHCR headquarters in Tripoli, protesting for several months until she was transferred to different accommodation locations in Tripoli. During the 100 days-long protest she served as an Eritrean Community representative and women’s spokeswoman.

On June 30, 2022, the UNHCR evacuated her to Italy through the Sant'egidio Humanitarian corridors. After facing various challenges in Italy, she moved to Germany, where she currently live.

To this day Nadia is vocal about refugee situations in Libya, Tunisia and Suda. Through Germany she travels and take part in events, demonstrations and advocacy for the release and evacuation of refugees from Libya