Hamoud, his wife and three children are tired, but relieved, after a long and perilous journey from their home in Syria, through Turkey and across the sea to the Greek island of Chios.
It is only eight kilometres across the sea and, when the weather is good, it is possible to see Turkey in the distance from the Greek island. Still, the crossing is dangerous. Especially during the winter, when the strong wind and large waves are attacking the small, over-crowded boats. So far, this year, over 410 people have died trying to cross the Mediterranean.
”We have been travelling for about twenty days. We tried to get to Europe in a legal way, but we do not have the papers. We had to rely on the smugglers and take a boat to Greece. It is a dangerous journey,” Hamoud admits.
Registration
The family is waiting to be registered in an old factory, which has been changed into a registration facility in Chios. They need to be registered before they can buy ferry tickets for Athens and continue their journey through Europe.
The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is providing information for the refugees, and distributes blankets in cooperation with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
Tucked in a blanket, Hamoud's oldest children are catching up on some sleep after the long journey.
Education
”My parents were farmers. They had no education and could not read or write. But they sent us to school. I want to ensure that my children get the same opportunity,” says Hamoud.
He has studied engineering at the university in Aleppo, a city currently in ruins, after five years of conflict in Syria.
Hamoud wants to go to Germany. He hopes his children can get an education there and that he will be able to find a job.
”I'm a mechanical engineer and the Germans are big in that field,” he explains.
Aerial bombardments
However, the family left their home in Northern Syria with a heavy heart.
”We were living by the river. The river flows through the area, turning it into a green oasis in the desert,” Hamoud says.
Yet, ”Home” is no longer what it used to be.
”It was very difficult to get by. The fighting has intensified recently, with increased aerial bombardments. We had to get away. The war is causing too much damage to the people”.
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