When Bella, a Nigerian tech professional residing in Qatar, received news of Iranian strikes on the country, her initial reaction was a notable calmness, opting to sleep rather than panic. This composure stemmed from her five years of experience in Qatar, during which she had witnessed previous attacks. She noted that alerts were consistently issued, indicating elevated security levels before any missile attack, and most incoming drones were successfully intercepted. Last year, a similar situation arose when Tehran retaliated against US and Israeli strikes on its nuclear facilities by targeting the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.

However, the current conflict, now in its second week, presents a stark contrast to previous incidents. It has rapidly escalated, resulting in over a thousand fatalities in Iran, including its Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Strikes on neighboring states have led to further casualties, raising fears of a broader regional war. The conflict's impact has also extended to global markets, with attacks on oil depots and restricted movement in the Strait of Hormuz causing significant spikes in oil prices.

Bella is one of a growing number of African tech professionals who have relocated to the Gulf region in recent years. This migration is driven by the appealing lifestyle, superior economic opportunities, and favorable tax regimes offered by countries like Qatar. Expatriates constitute nearly nine out of every ten residents in Qatar, underscoring the nation's reliance on foreign talent and labor. Bolstered by increasing government support for technology startups, many Africans have moved to the region to secure employment or establish their own ventures, attracted by a level of stability and opportunity often unavailable in their home countries. The ongoing conflict, however, now poses a direct threat to this cherished stability.

Amidst the escalating tensions, individuals like Khadijah Amusat, another Nigerian who has lived in Qatar for two years and is developing a startup, have maintained a calm demeanor, despite the emotional toll. Khadijah acknowledged feeling overwhelmed at times, especially living alone and far from family, but found significant support from friends in Qatar and constant check-ins from loved ones back home. Bella, who works in IT for a bank, has continued her work remotely throughout this period.

In the immediate aftermath of the attacks, the Qatari government acted swiftly to reassure its citizens and implement safety protocols. Emergency alerts, akin to those Bella referenced, are regularly dispatched to residents' mobile phones. Bella further highlighted that the Qatari government instructed supermarkets nationwide to operate 24 hours a day, a measure designed to prevent panic buying and bolster public confidence. Prices have remained stable, and most residents resumed their normal routines the day after the attacks. Despite the Qatari government's consistent communication with residents, Bella and Amusat, two of at least 7,000 Nigerians in Qatar, noted a lack of direct communication from Nigerian officials. Amusat received emergency contact information for the Nigerian embassy through local Qatari authorities, while Bella saw a memo on social media but hesitated to register due to a generic email address. Support, however, has materialized from within the Nigerian community in Qatar.

While both women have remained calm and continued their daily lives, their families back home are understandably concerned for their safety. They have managed to alleviate these worries through frequent contact and reassurances. Bella consistently updates her family on her well-being, emphasizing the Qatari government's commitment to ensuring everyone's safety. Although some non-regional governments have evacuated thousands of their citizens, the limited damage sustained thus far, combined with the coordinated support from the Qatari government, has prompted Amusat and Bella to remain in Qatar. They acknowledge the potential for escalation but view returning home as a last resort. Bella poignantly compared her situation: "I have family back home, and they are telling me there’s no light and there’s a fuel hike, and I’m wondering [how] a country that is getting hit by missiles does not have a fuel hike and everything is working normally." This highlights the perceived stability and functional infrastructure in Qatar, even amidst conflict, as a key factor in their decision to stay.