The magazine of the photo-essay
Aug 2016 back issue
by Giles Duley
“A free, really high quality photo-essay magazine. Fabulous!”
Stephen Fry. British actor, writer and film & documentary maker
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is a global organization dedicated to saving lives, protecting rights and building a
better future for refugees, forcibly displaced communities and stateless people. DONATE
Mytilini cemetery, where many graves are marked simply with a number. Lesvos, Greece. 9th November 2015.
Binyameen, who is 6 years old and from Afghanistan, waits in line for food with his cousin at Moria transit camp.
Lesvos, Greece. 8th November 2015
At dawn the ferry from Mytilene arrives in Athens. For the refugees and migrants arriving in Lesvos, this is their only
route to mainland Europe. - Athens, Greece. 24th November 2015
Sign outside Refugee Housing Squat Notara 26. Athens, Greece. 25th November 2015.
At a squat hosting refugees in Athens, a child’s drawing recalls the horrors they fled in Afghanistan Athens, Greece.
25th November 2015.
A drawing by an Afghan child. Athens, Greece. 25th November 2015.
2015 saw the return of border restrictions across Europe. Unable or unwilling to deal with the influx of refugees, asylum
seekers and migrants, by the end of the year hastily built fences stretched across the Balkans. In November, following
a decision by Macedonian authorities to shut the border; only Syrians, Iraqis and Afghans could pass. Idomeni, Greece.
28th November 2015.
Greek/former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia border, Idomeni, Greece. 28th November 2015.
Refugees and migrants queue for food provided by volunteers at Idomeni station. Idomeni, Greece. 2nd Dec 2015.
As the sun starts to set a Kurdish family from Syria prepares for a night with no shelter on the Greek/former Yugoslav
Republic of Macedonian border. Idomeni, Greece. 3rd December 2015.
Caught at the border, Sara, Mohammad and Asea from Homs, Syria try to keep warm in donated clothes as they
prepare for another night without shelter. Idomeni, Greece. 3rd December 2015.
After FYR Macedonian authorities restrict border crossings to all except Syrians, Afghans and Iraqis, many nationalities
found themselves stuck in limbo. In protest, some Iranians had sewn their mouths shut. Arad, a young Iranian prepares
to join the protest. Idomeni, Greece. 30th November 2015.
Migrant workers from Pakistan warm their hands against the freezing temperatures - Idomeni, Greece. Nov 30th 2015.
Night time at the border crossing between Greece and FYR Macedonia - Idomeni, Greece. November 30th 2015.
A refugee peers from a train in FYR Macedonia. I asked a young Syrian man why he had travelled to Europe when
many of his friends and family had stayed. “It’s simple.” He replied, “I was the first to give up hope. I was the first to
realise there is no more Syria.” FYR Macedonia. November 28th 2015.
The distance from Damascus to Berlin via Lesvos is 4,500km, from Kabul 7,700km. After a journey that has taken
months, dealing with smugglers, the crossing of the Aegean by boat, borders, nights without shelter, days without food,
some refugees arrive at Schonefeld Station in Berlin. The last part of their journey was dubbed ‘the train of hope.’
Berlin, Germany. 27th December 2015.
“Refugees Welcome” graffiti at the YAAM club. Whilst there has been much hostility, often violent, to refugees across
Europe, one of the lasting impressions I have is of the volunteers making them feel welcome. From saving lives on the
beaches of Lesvos, to cooking ‘Welcome’ dinners in Berlin, everyday people have stepped up. Berlin, Germany. 26th
December 2015.
A Syrian refugee with the wristband he has had to wear to gain access to his camp. For many it’s a stigma that
identifies them as refugees when they are out in Berlin. Berlin, Germany. 26th December 2015.
