Nepalis' Europe odyssey, through the treacherous Balkan route

Every evening, at least 10 Nepalis arrive at a park outside Trieste Central railway station, seeking assistance from Linea d’Ombra ODV, a volunteer organization. The group provides food, clothing, and basic medical aid to migrants sleeping rough in the northern Italian city.

“

At dusk every day, at least 10 Nepalis come looking for food and clothing. Due to the administrative inefficiencies and delays within the local state apparatus, Nepalis are often at the bottom of the priority list when it comes to allocation of emergency institutional shelter.

"Due to administrative inefficiencies and delays within the local state apparatus, Nepalis are often at the bottom of the priority list when it comes to allocation of emergency institutional shelter," said Lorena Fornasir, founder of Linea d’Ombra. The daily presence of Nepalis in the square has increased noticeably over the past year, with over a hundred currently stranded in and around the park. They are among the migrants who have reached Italy via the western Balkan route, hoping to secure protection and build a future in Europe.

Trieste, situated on the Italian-Slovenian border, serves as a primary gateway for people entering Italy overland. Migrants from across the globe pass through the city, leading locals to dub the area near the station "Piazza del Mondo", the square of the world. Those who connect with Linea d’Ombra typically receive food, blankets, and sometimes tents. However, this support is often insufficient. For weeks or months, many endure sleeping on cold concrete floors in parks, abandoned warehouses, and derelict buildings in the old port area while their asylum claims progress.

“

We are living inside an old building under a tent. There are only two women among us. The rest are men. I cried often while sleeping on the ground, but then I reminded myself that this was the path I chose.

"We are living inside an old building under a tent," shared Sita Rai from Sankhuwasabha district, who was among a group of over a hundred stranded migrants. "There are only two women among us. The rest are men. I cried often while sleeping on the ground, but then I reminded myself that this was the path I chose." Rai described the conditions as particularly difficult for women, citing harsh weather, leaky roofs, muddy floors, and a lack of proper sanitation and safe living environments.

“

The weather is harsh here (Italy). When it rains, water leaks through the roof. The floor turns muddy. Sometimes even plastic sheets cannot keep the rain out. There is no proper place to use a toilet, nowhere to bathe and no safe environment to live in.