Why people are running away from Eritrea

An Eritrean migrant cooks eggs outside his shelter in the woods, locally known as the jungle, close to a chemical factory in Calais August 1, 2014. More than 1000 migrants from Eritrea, Sudan and Afghanistan currently live in Calais and hope to make it across the Channel to England. Photo: Reuters

Like many of her fellow Eritrean refugees, Sofia, who managed to escape northwards to Cairo, has a very simple reason for fleeing her homeland.

“In Eritrea you’re even afraid to talk to your family,” she says. “The person next to me in a cafe could be a spy, and they are looking at what you are doing. People disappear every day.”