‘I’m safe and I’m alive.’

Abdul Aziz Muhamat

An eventful week has passed. After PNG immigration officials and police entered the decommissioned detention centre, destroying food, water and belongings, the 421 men remaining there are forced to relocate to the other facilities on Manus Island.

After a brief spell of homelessness, Aziz has found a bed in the East Lorengau transit centre. In a chance meeting with Michael, he explains how he’s adjusting to the new situation – and trying to regain his energy to continue working.

A mess remains after PNG immigration officials raid and ransack the camp — Photo: Manus Alert

In this update

• Abdul Aziz Muhamat

• Michael Green

Our theme music was composed by Raya Slavin. Music used in this episode includes 'Shine' by Klara Lewis. Additional audio recordings have been sourced from smartphone videos of the eviction and relocation.

Further reading

• 'Manus Island: PNG authorities say they have cleared detention centre, all men bused out', by Liam Fox and Louise Yaxley, ABC News, accessed 28 November 2017

• 'Manus police pulled my hair and beat me. "You've damaged our reputation," they said', by Behrouz Boochani, Guardian Australia, accessed 28 November 2017
• 'Forced Removal', Ten Eyewitness News, accessed 28 November 2017
  
  

More information

The Messenger is a co-production of Behind the Wire and the Wheeler Centre. It’s produced by Michael Green, André Dao, Hannah Reich and Bec Fary, with Jon Tjhia and Sophie Black at the Wheeler Centre.

This short update was edited and mixed by Jon Tjhia.

Thank you

Dana Affleck, Angelica Neville and Sienna Merope. Also to Behind the Wire’s many participants and volunteers. Behind the Wire is supported by the Bertha Foundation.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.