Our sister and children suffering illness, trauma and extreme poverty in Tunisia
We are appealing for urgent help for our Bosnian sister and family who are living in extremely difficult circumstances in Tunisia.
During the war, her husband was deported to Tunisia and imprisoned for 10 years. After their release, the familiy was left trapped in a foreign country without proper legal status or support. Because of this, the husband is not allowed to work legally and cannot provide for his family.
Years of hardship have taken a devastating toll on their health. She is suffering from severe PTSD, depression, anxiety and panic attacks and is currently receiving psychiatric treatment.
Their children are also struggling with serious challenges including ADHD, autism, learning disabilities and other mental health difficulties, largely due to years of extreme poverty and malnutrition.
The family lives in heartbreaking conditions. They share a single room on a rooftop with a tiny makeshift kitchen. Their old mattresses are infested with bed bugs, and the children are constantly covered in bites. Basic necessities such as food, clothing, medicine and school supplies are far beyond their means.
One sister works for just £3 a day, which is not even enough to buy bread for her family. Most days they survive only on lentils and beans, and they can only afford meat two or three times a year.
Because of their financial situation, they have only been able to visit their family in Bosnia once in the past 15 years.
On the Day of Arafah we hope to bring some relief and dignity to her family— helping them access food, clothing, basic necessities and allowing her children to experience some normality.
Your support can help ease their suffering and remind them that they are not forgotten.