Libya / Misrata / Many children in Misrata have been exposed to the war through constant bombing and shelling in their streets. Some had their homes destroyed or have lost family members. Their daily lives during the conflict in Misrata is reflected in their drawings. Some of these drawings are exhibited on the main place in Misrata. The revolutionnary with the gun says: “Allah is great” . The tank replies: ” You have destoyed me”. Misrata has been under siege since March 18 prompting thousands of Libyans and migrants – mainly from sub-Saharian Africa- to flee the war-torn city by boat to Benghazi or to other safer locations. 5,000 families – or 25,000 people – remain displaced in the city. Most are staying at relatives’ homes, while others are being hosted in schools. Others are occupying buildings which were on the verge of being finished prior to the war. At the same time, many people are starting to return to their homes (if they are not destroyed) since anti-governmental forces secured the city at the end of April-early May. Life is picking up slowly with shops reopening and some families daring to walk in the street after several weeks being caught in the conflict between governmental and anti-governmental forces. At the height of the conflict in Misrata in March and April, up to 100,000 people from south and west neighbourhoods as well as from surrounding villages went into displacement to northern areas of Misrata. / UNHCR/ H. Caux / June 1, 2011