Pa Flukt

011076003 is a number that I will never forget; a passport number that gave me a new identity for 24 hours, in which as Liban Ahmed, mother of a Somali family, I tried to flee my country seeking for asylum in Norway. The way was not easy, and being a refugee for 24 hours has been one of the most meaningful and enriching projects in which I have taken part this year.

Under the United Nations Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees, a refugee is defined as a person who "owing to a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group, or political opinion, is outside the country of his nationality, and is unable to or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to avail himself of the protection of that country".

The possibility of getting into this role was brought to our school with the cooperation of the Norwegian Red Cross, and their program Pa Flukt (On the Run).

The experience started the day before with an informative meeting: what our role will be, the rules for participants, an introduction to the situation in Somalia...  

We were also given our passports, and with them, the information of who we will be for the next 24 hours.

Looking back at this experience I would be able to write for hours thinking about the situations that we faced, how people reacted to them, what my feelings were, how we were treated… But I will summarize it as frustration. Frustration of not being able to do something for your family, to defend your rights, to present your case, not being able to access some food, some shelter, some help.... or simply not being able to speak up.

In those 24 hours, were timed acquired a completely different dimension (we were not allowed to know what time it was), we had to confront endless hours in migration offices, corruption, abuses... In this simulation physical violence was not allowed, but we know that in real life, this could have happened too.

Crossing countries trying to get to Norway, we walked over 25km by road or through mountains; the only thing that we managed to eat was a cup of boiled rice and a tablespoon of oil; our belongings were stolen in one of the offices; they burnt our passports in front of us; we run from the military in the darkness of the Norwegian night; we “slept” in a refugee camp that the Red Cross provided but that we had to leave due to an attack; we jumped into the snow, and rolled down hill to hide each time a car was passing by... And of course, under -15ºC the experience turns much more intense....

One of the aspects which impacted me greatly, was how being the mother of a family, escaping with eleven members, you have to care of yourself but also of all the other members. Making sure that everybody is following, that they all behave correctly in front of the authorities, that they are not suffering from dehydration or any other problem... but specially being psychologically strong not just to encourage yourself, but also to support all of them in continuing, thinking about a new future that will be waiting for us in Norway.

We had to stand the shouting of the officers, being treated as animals, or such a cultural aspect as wearing the Muslim veil was a new experienced too. All this and much more in such a long way.... to be denied the right for asylum in Norway and sent back to Somalia!  

There were some moments which I am sure I will always remember, like walking over a frozen lake were suddenly we heard a strong noise and the ice broke under our feet; shooting stars at 1a.m. while running on the roads escaping from the military; or running in the forest holding my “daughter´s” hand and dragging her so that she will not be captured.

When the role-play finished we were all exhausted, but at the same time so impressed by what we have just experienced that it was hard to concentrate in anything else than the thoughts of everything that happened in just one day.

And then I was wondering: this is just a role play, we know that in real circumstances it will be much harder; this is just 24 hours, real refugees are “on the run” for sometimes 3 or 4 months; even we were deported back to Somalia our role play finished there, but what about all those refugees who are sent back to their countries? Do they try once more going to a different country? Will they survive in their countries, or trying to escape again?; what about those that get accepted into Norway or any other country? Are their lives going to change just for good? Is the new life as they expect?

An unforgettable experience under a new identity which I will always remember. ...011076003 always in mind...