No country for a young woman

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is bringing a refugee simulation experience to Hong Kong. "Nadima: A Tale of Shattered Innocence" is a unique eight-minute audio journey through the mind of a 13-year-old South Sudanese girl trying to flee from her war-torn homeland to seek asylum in Uganda.

Since December 2013 - when South Sudan's crisis erupted in Juba - more than 2 million South Sudanese have fled to neighboring countries, while another 2 million people are estimated to be internally displaced. Over the past 12 months, 1,800 South Sudanese refugees have been arriving in Uganda every day. Recent arrivals continue to speak of incidents of barbaric violence. Armed groups have reportedly burnt down houses with civilians inside, and people gunned down in front of family members.

Participants in the audio journey will be exposed to the sound of wars, crying of victims and even a piece of complete silence as they are led through Nadima's harrowing journey until she finds shelter, and hope. Hers is an archetypal story of asylum seekers trekking across forests, rough seas and taking great pains to evade surveillance at the borders to be able to survive. In between there is always the risk of dying from sickness, exhaustion or hunger.

There will also be an exhibition on refugee lives.

(HK Edition 11/03/2017 page11)