Mathieu Carbasse is a journalist at “Duty”. He has just returned from reporting in Egypt, where he met families who fled the war in Gaza. A year after the start of this terrible conflict which broke out on October 7, 2023, he tells us about his experience.
Matthew, why did you go to Egypt?
Nearly 120,000 Palestinians managed to escape the war by fleeing to Egypt, the only country that accepted them. I wanted to know what happened to these people and how they are rebuilding their lives.
Where do refugees live?
There are no refugee camps in Egypt. Most live in Cairo, the capital, a huge city with 21 million inhabitants. They live in apartments where they are hosted by members of their family. The Egyptian population is really very welcoming.
You met refugees. What did they tell you about their lives?
It’s difficult for them because they don’t have status. That is, they are not recognized as refugees or immigrants by the government. They therefore cannot work, send their children to school or seek healthcare. They live waiting to know what will happen to them. What is ingrained in them is the desire to return to Gaza.
How are the children?
They are bored. It’s very hard for them not to go to school. A mother told me that her 8-year-old boy hated school in Gaza. However, he told her that he wanted to go back there, even if it was war. Above all, he wants to go back to school.
You also reported from Ukraine. Why are you interested in war?
Journalists are needed to cover these events from the inside, to tell the stories of the families. On the other hand, I have my limits. I don’t go to combat zones.
What’s it like coming home afterwards?
At the beginning, I wrote a lot. Like now, it’s like I’m still a little bit in Egypt. And then I take a step back. I spend time with my girlfriend, my two daughters, I recharge my batteries and I appreciate how lucky we are.
Why is it important to learn about the war?
It is essential, if only to understand the world in which we live. Being informed also sometimes allows you to break down certain prejudices and develop a little more tolerance towards others.
By Caroline Bouffard
Do you want to know more?
Do you like to understand the news?
Come take a look at lesasdelinfo.com. We also have a whole section for teachers!
An Information Coops initiative supported by the Government of Canada.
