Reference : V-P-TN-E-00221
Date : 14/03/2011
Country/Region : TUNISIA; LIBYA
Caption : Choucha, a transit camp for people who had fled the violence in Libya. Providing access to clean drinking water.
Photographer : GIUSTI, Alessandro
Confidentiality level : public
Publication restrictions : publication without restrictions
Copyright : ICRC
Description : Locally rectruited plumbers repairing water distribution points. The constantly changing profile of the camp population was a major obstacle to the provision of an adequate water supply system.

ICRC website, Feature 20-04-2011

Tunisia, Choucha Camp: a life between arriving and leaving

Over 250,000 people are estimated to have crossed into Tunisia from Libya since 20 February, fleeing the violence in that country. Almost 4,000 people are still living in Choucha transit camp, 7 km from the border. Despite living in tents under difficult conditions, and despite their uncertain future, these people are trying to live as normal life as possible.

Where there’s water, there’s life …

In the weeks that followed the arrival of the first people fleeing the fighting in Libya, bottles of mineral water were everywhere in Choucha Camp. The solidarity shown by the Tunisian people drew admiration from those of many nationalities who entered Tunisia via the crossing point at Ras Jdir. Despite this solidarity, however, there was a need for a longer-term solution for these people. They had arrived in Tunisia with no resources, and were not going to be able to leave southern Tunisia any time soon.

Everything changed when ICRC engineers set up water points around the camp. Now, men take advantage of the heat of the day to enjoy an al fresco shower. In the mornings, the women take their buckets, bowls and detergent (provided by the ICRC) to the water points to do the laundry. Guy ropes are pressed into service as washing lines and trees become temporary drying racks.
Original material : digital
Resolution : 3264x2448
Orientation : landscape
Colour/B&W : colour

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