Why are people fleeing to Europe?

In dad´s footsteps 
 

Syrian Majed (10) is playing with his relative, Abul Razak (3), in a park at Chios island in Greece, where they are waiting to be registered and continue their journey through Europe. Photo: Tiril Skarstein, NRC  

Name: Majed (10)

From: Homs, Syria

”I would like to see my father again. He is in Sweden”, says Majed.

The Syrian boy had just started primary school in Homs when the war broke out.

“There was a bomb exploding next to the school. I was afraid. My cousin died in a prison in Syria. And there was a pharmacist where we lived, and he was taken at a check point and killed”, Majed says.

Four years ago, he and his father fled the country and searched for refuge in Zataari refugee camp in neighbouring Jordan.

”It was cold and snowing there during the winter, and we had nothing in Jordan. No money and not enough to eat. And I was not able to attend school”, Majed says.

Last year, his father continued the journey, making his way from Jordan to Sweden. Now Majed is following in his footsteps. Together with some relatives, he has made his way through Turkey and across the sea to Greece. From there he will continue north.

”I don´t know anything about Sweden. I just hope to see my father again”.    

Suicide bombings
 

Farshid and Morti spent several nights outside at Chios in Greece, on their way towards Scandinavia. The two Afghan boys have made their way from Kabul, through Pakistan, Iran and Turkey – in search of safety in Europe. Photo: Tiril Skarstein, NRC  

Name: Farshid

From: Kabul, Aghanistan

”I lost two of my childhood friends in suicide bombings. There was a suicide bombing in front of my school. Also, one day when I was going to the gym, a bomb exploded in the street. I was late, because I had to wait for a friend. If I had not waited for my friend, I could have been dead now”, Farshid says.

”You cannot feel safe there”, he adds, speaking about his hometown, Kabul.

The young, Afghan boy has fled from Afghanistan, through Pakistan and Iran, to Turkey and Greece.

”The most difficult part of the trip was through Iran. We were walking for hours in the mountains, and stayed there for several nights. I though maybe we would die there, in Iran. Many people are dying on the way. We saw dead bodies”, Farshid explains.

He is grateful for having arrived Greece safely – and praise the hospitality of the Greek people at Chios island. Now, he will continue the journey through Europe, towards Scandinavia.

”I wish I can live like other humans. I want to study. I want to work”.    

In need of medical assistance

Maesaa´s daughter Kenana (17) (in the middle) have a problem with her leg, and Maesaa wants to bring her to Europe for treatment. Here Kenana, her sister Dania (16) and their relative Noor (10) are photographed after the family arrived Lesvos island in Greece. Photo: Tiril Skarstein, NRC   

Name: Maesaa

From: Damascus, Syria

“My daughter has an injury from the war. Her knee is damaged and she has severe nerve injuries to her leg. She needs proper medical assistance”, says Maesaa.

She has brought her handicapped daughter and the rest of the family on a journey across the sea from Turkey to Greece, and towards Germany, where they plan to seek asylum.

“All the time, not a minute passed by during the crossing, where we did not think ´soon we are going to fall over, soon we are going to sink, soon it is going to end´”, Maesaa says.

They were more than thirty people in the small, yellow dinghy, which was never made for the rough sea. Still, she thinks it was worth taking the risk.

“I hope to get medical assistance for my daughter. To rehabilitate her, so that she can walk like before. We were not able to get that in Syria or in Turkey”, Maesaa explains.       

Cuts in the support

Syrian Lemia and her children Omar Mohammed (3) and Lojen (1) have arrived the port in Chios, Greece – after a tough journey across the sea from Turkey. Photo: Tiril Skarstein, NRC  

Name: Lemia

From: Deir ez-Zor, Syria

“We fled from Syria because of the war. We had nothing there anymore. Our home was bombed into rubble”, says Lemia.

Three years ago she and her family arrived in Turkey, close to the border with Syria.

“When we first arrived it was good. We were safe there and received enough support to get by. But then the assistance was cut. The last year and a half we have been suffering”, the Kurdish woman explains.

She is three months pregnant, and is making the dangerous journey towards Europe together with her husband and two children. The parents hope to be able to offer their children safety, necessary medical support and an education.

“I wish for my children to be safe. I don´t want anything else”, Lemia says.

Speaking out  

Iraqi actor Ahmed has fled from Baghdad and arrived Lesvos island in Greece, from where he will head towards Austria. Photo: Tiril Skarstein, NRC  

Name: Ahmed

From: Baghdad, Iraq

"I came with a boat from Turkey this morning. We spent three hours at the sea. They had told us it would be a big boat, but it was small boat and we were about forty people. It was overcrowded," says Ahmed.

He has arrived Lesvos in Greece, from where he is preparing to continue his journey towards Athens, through Balkans and to Austria.

"I have fled from Baghdad, where I used to work for Iraqi TV. I am an actor, but this is very tough in Iraq, with the ongoing conflicts”, he says.

"I have tried to send a message to my people. I want a different future for my country”. 

The young Iraqi actor is not willing to be silenced, but he no longer dares to remain in a conflict-ridden Iraq. 

"After the things I have said, Iraq is no longer safe for me. I go to the future. To Europe. I want to have my freedom of speech”, the actor explains.     

Supporting the family

Syrian Redor (12) is playing with Hassan (3) at the port in Chios, Greece. Photo: Tiril Skarstein, NRC  

Name: Redor (12)

From: Syria

“My father is sick. He is paralyzed and needs support. But he is too sick to be able to flee across the sea”, explains Redor.

The Syrian boy has just arrived Chios island in Greece, after crossing the sea from Turkey. Some friends of the family are keeping an eye on him, as the twelve year old is making his way through Europe – miles away from his parents. 

“I want to go to school, and I wish my family can come and stay with me”, says Redor. 

He is glad to have arrived safely in Greece, and is already thinking about how he can best support his family from Europe. They all fled the war in Syria some years ago to Turkey, but it has been difficult for the family to get by in the new country.

“I was working there, trying to support my family, but it was not easy to find any work and there was no school for me”, Redor says.