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RESCUES IN THE MEDITERRANEAN
Chapter V: Lamar

RESCUES IN THE MEDITERRANEAN: Lamar

An engineer, Mohamed Aldyab is one of the people rescued by Dignity I, along with his wife, Rana, and their 10-month-old daughter, Lamar. His story is different to that of many Syrians: he was in Libya, studying, and his wife joined him there in 2014. He isn't fleeing Syria but the chaos in Libya.

Mohamed’s words echo those of many others who have fled post-Gaddafi Libya in terror. Sitting on the deck of Dignity I, with his wife and daughter, Mohamed’s tears fall when he thinks about his family, when he recalls their escape and their time at sea, and when he remembers everything they’ve left behind.

Little Lamar is a delight on board the rescue ship. Since it set sail, Dignity I has transported dozens of babies. Generally they cry, they’re scared, they seek refuge in their mother’s arms. But not Lamar. Lamar plays with everyone: she touches the faces of Bangladeshis, Ivorians, Pakistanis. When the passengers become impatient at how long it is taking to reach Italy, the MSF project coordinator points to Lamar as an example: if she can cope with it so well, everyone else can too.