Hundreds of thousands of refugees have passed through here since the Libyan conflict began in February, mainly expatriate workers from Africa.

Violence in the camp between different nationalities has escalated in recent weeks. Scores of refugees were killed when parts of the camp were set on fire.

"Ten days ago we lost four of our brothers," said Shishay Tesfay, an Eritrean refugee. "They were burned in one tent. They couldn't escape because the tent is very flammable and it doesn't give you time. It just burns and is destroyed within five minutes."

For around 3500 of the Shousha camp refugees - people from countries like Eritrea, Somalia and Sudan - there is nowhere else to go. It's too dangerous to go back to their home countries, and too dangerous in Libya.

"Everybody can see the picture of Libya," added Eritrean refugee Shishay Tesfay. "It's like a civil war. And Libyan people don't like African people, they think they are not Africa. And if I go back to Libya, it would be silly, a crazy thing."

The UN estimates there are 7 million refugees around the world like Shishay who have nowhere safe to return.

"The biggest problem today is so-called protracted refugee situations where people have been living as refugees for decades, for generations and there is no solution in sight for them," Nyberg added.

For tens of thousands of people fleeing Libya the promise of a new life in Europe can be bought for around $1500, the average price of a boat passage across the Mediterranean.