Due to the closure of sea and land borders in Algeria, it is very complicated to get to the country. Many Algerian nationals come every day to Orly airport to try to board a plane.
Since March 17, 2020, the Mediterranean has been almost impassable for thousands of Algerians. The Algerian government has closed its sea and land borders. There are no more commercial flights, only a few special repatriation flights, in a trickle manner. From France, Orly airport is the only one to offer flights to Algeria. So, every day, many come from all over France to try to embark and return to Algeria.
“I slept at the hotel, I was already here the day before and I’m still here today,” Hakim explains, with his little gray suitcase. He couldn’t reach the consulate, so he decided to come directly to the airport to buy a ticket and try to visit his dying father. “I live in Lyon. My father is 92 years old, he had a stroke and after a week in the hospital, he is sent home because there is nothing more to do.”
Departure complicated even for a compelling reason
“I try to leave but it is impossible, whereas we see people leaving. It is obvious that these are not urgent cases, they are going on vacation while we are dying” , regrets Hakim. Like him, they are numerous, angry, in front of gate 42D of the airport, the gate to Algeria. Since January 31 and the entry into force of new restrictions in France, it is now necessary to justify a compelling reason to be able to leave French territory.
But despite their supporting documents, many nationals have difficulty finding a place to board a plane. “The Metz consulate guaranteed us that we were registered for the departure of our mother,” said Nabilla, who came to accompany her mother. She hoped to get on a plane to accompany her husband’s coffin and bury it in her village in Algeria.
“Not everyone can leave at the same time since there are restrictions, but in that case you have to spread out and prioritize!”
Nabilla at franceinfo
“It’s nonsense,” Nabilla continues. “People should be told to leave on such and such a date, but there is no point in piling up in front of an airport door. There is zero communication. in fact and zero organization. ”
In addition to those who reside in France, there are also many Algerians who have come with a visa for a few months, especially for treatment. “They are far from home, far from their family, left to their own devices, deplores Badis Khenissa, at the origin of Touisa, a solidarity platform that tries to find them accommodation solutions. They find themselves living in day by day in alarming psychological and social situations “. He estimates that of the 25,000 Algerians stranded abroad, 18,000 have been repatriated.
