A New Beginning: From Asmara to London
In this edition of our asylum stories, we are sharing with you the journey of Samuel* and Robel*; a young Eritrean boy who managed to complete a long and hard journey, and his brother, who fought for their reunification.
We reached out to caseworker Erica Wilson from the Refugee & Migrant Forum of Essex and London (RAMFEL), to share with us their story.
Asmara, the capital of Eritrea, is a city of stunning beauty, nestled high in the mountains of the Horn of Africa. It was here, amidst the vibrant streets and close-knit communities, that a young boy named Samuel began his life.
At the age of 11, Samuel had to leave school to care for his mother, while his father had gone missing after being called into the military. Soon after, Samuel himself received conscription papers, ordering him to join the military due to his absence from school. Faced with this, Samuel—then just 12 years old—embarked on a perilous journey with one of his brothers to flee Eritrea and attempt to reach the safety of Europe.
But their journey, like that of millions seeking a better life and safety, was fraught with hardship. Samuel’s brother continued on to Libya but was captured by traffickers, leaving Samuel to travel alone to Kampala, Uganda. Arriving in early 2021, he found himself isolated, with only one friend offering a bit of support—and no parents.
A third brother, his eldest, Robel, had sought refuge in the UK some years earlier. He became Samuel’s lifeline, supporting him financially in Uganda and sponsoring his asylum claim to reunite them in the UK. He reached out to RAMFEL, a charity that supports vulnerable migrants in the UK to access justice, where caseworker Erica Wilson took on his family reunification case. Erica prepared the case and requested a bespoke research report from Asylos, that looked into the situation of Eritrean unaccompanied minors in Uganda, to strengthen the case.
Asylos’ report shed light on how Eritreans in Uganda often encounter significant obstacles: high rejection rates for asylum claims and allegations of corruption within the system, where access to refugee status can depend on financial means. Like many others, Samuel found himself vulnerable, even more as a minor, navigating a system where support and even legal recognition were uncertain. Refugees in urban Uganda face severe challenges, including limited access to healthcare and mental health services.
Despite these daunting circumstances, Samuel held on to the hope of reaching Europe. He was well aware of the risks involved in crossing through Libya—his brother’s plight was a painful reminder—but desperation for a secure future left him with little choice.
At 16, Samuel finally arrived in the UK after a successful asylum procedure, where his 22-year-old brother Robel was waiting for him. This was a moment of profound relief and joy, a testament to their bond and resilience. Yet their brother remains in captivity in Libya, and two other siblings are still in Asmara, their fate uncertain.
Samuel’s story is a powerful reminder of the courage and desperation that drive young people to seek asylum. It sheds light on the systemic challenges faced by Eritrean refugees, underscores the urgent need for compassion and support for those forced to flee their homes, and highlights the importance of Country of Origin Information when building a case to support asylum seekers.
This is a story of courage, resilience, and the enduring power of family; the plight of countless young asylum seekers who have endured unimaginable hardships in search of safety and a better future.
Do you represent people seeking asylum, family reunification or applying for similar migration procedures? You can access the report we produced for this case and 700+ other Country of Origin Information reports in our database. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, you can request bespoke research, and we will produce it free of charge.
*names changed