In a statement posted on Facebook on April 9, IOM Tunisia, in collaboration with its main implementing partner, the Tunisian Red Crescent, announced they had scaled up their humanitarian assistance in the governate of Sfax.

The UN organization said it had provided 7,000 stranded migrants with food baskets during the holy month of Ramadan, and added that this food assistance was "crucial" as a "life-sustaining activity with an immediate impact".

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Gratitude of two beneficiaries

Wria Rashid, the head of IOM Sfax sub-office, was quoted as saying in the statement that "thanks to our donors and TRC as our main counterpart, IOM managed to assist 7,000 vulnerable migrants in a matter of two weeks with food baskets and drinking water."

Fatima, one of the beneficiaries, told IOM that "at home, we often shared fast-breaking meals with family, friends and neighbors," according to the statement.

"Here, I really miss this special warmth. It is not the same experience nor feeling as embracing Ramadan at home," she added.

Abdullah, another beneficiary, was quoted as saying that the main challenges he is currently facing "include securing food for myself and accessing clean water."

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Mobile health clinic

IOM said it carried out several field assessments to tackle urgent needs in terms of WASH (water, sanitation, hygiene), health and food.

In response, on March 30, IOM and TRC established a mobile health clinic, serving 150 migrants with essential services, with support from the Ministry of Health, the Regional Health Directorate in Sfax, and TRC.

Over the coming months, in close cooperation with the Tunisian Red Crescent in Sfax, the UN agency in Tunisia said it will continue to provide immediate large-scale assistance to migrants in need.

The note concluded saying that IOM is ready to cooperate with national, regional and local authorities, as well as the wider humanitarian community, to provide emergency assistance to the most vulnerable.

Several groups of sub-Saharan migrants over the last few months have been stranded in the governorate of Sfax while waiting to attempt the crossing to reach Italy's coast.

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