TUNIS, Tunisia — While a lot of focus in the recent migration debate has been on Europe, many of the southern Mediterranean countries are equally struggling with the situation. Tunisia, which is next to Libya, is increasingly trying to deal with, and prepare for, the influx of people.

“God Bless Tunisia,” said “Annie,” a Nigerian who is too afraid to reveal her real name. She added, “And God punish Libya!” Annie was smuggled through Libya via Niger, eventually ending up in the Libyan coastal city of Zuwara, which has become a center for human trafficking, only 60 kilometers (37 miles) from the Tunisian border. A majority of the asylum seekers arriving at the Tunisian borders enter, often unintentionally, via boats after being rescued at sea during their perilous journey from Libya. Upon arrival, each person’s status is assessed in order to determine whether the person is a refugee, which means a person running from persecution or conflict, or a migrant, i.e., someone leaving their home country in search for better economic opportunities. Tunisia is primarily a transit country. Most people arriving here are not aiming to stay but to continue to Europe. According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) September 2015 fact sheet, there are currently around 928 registered refugees and asylum seekers in Tunisia, primarily from Syria.

Until a person’s status has been determined, the person is considered an asylum seeker. However, as Tunisia does not yet have an asylum law in place, the UNHCR assists Tunisian authorities in the refugee status determination process. Each person’s background is documented before determining their legal status. Their story is scrutinized, and their papers, if there are any, are assessed before a final verdict is made. People identified as refugees are protected by the 1951 Refugee Convention, which not only defines who is a refugee, but also states their rights and the obligation of the host country. However, the refugee status does not include residency in Tunisia, which is only authorized by the Tunisian Interior Ministry. Without a residency card, it is difficult for a refugee, often also without identification cards, to receive a work permit in a country already struggling with high unemployment rates. “We are trying to have a creative approach to the work situation for refugees,” said Nabil Benbekhti, senior protection officer at UNHCR. Today, most refugees work in the informal sector, but there are livelihood programs that aim to make refugees reach self-sufficiency by offering tailored training curriculum. There is also a startup that is in the process of hiring asylum seekers and refugees for maintenance work in domains such as gardening, plumbing or cleaning. Some initiatives have also included providing Syrian families with goats in order for them to produce cheese and potentially become self-sustaining.

Beside refugees, there are also migrants looking for better opportunities among the people rescued at sea. Annie is one of the migrants saved this summer and is one of the ones who decided to return to Nigeria. Despite the lack of opportunities, she would like to go back home to her village, even though it would mean she would likely return to her previous job, braiding women’s hair. “We assist the people who wish to return back home,” said Lorena Lando, chief of mission at the International Organization for Migration (IOM). Through the relevant embassy, a travel document is secured and migrants can safely return home with the help of IOM. About half decide to return home, while the other half, the ones not able or willing to return home, either try to stay in Tunisia, with an illegal status, or try returning to Libya for another attempt at crossing the sea.