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The Most Important Thing: Syrian Refugees

From UN Refugee Agency intro: More than 1 million Syrians have been forced to leave their country to neighboring Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey, Iraq or other countries in the region. By contrast, people seeking sanctuary from the conflict in Syria, according to UN Refugee Agency, must typically conceal their intentions by appearing as though they are out for a family stroll or a Sunday drive as they make their way towards a border. Thus they carry little more than keys, pieces of paper, phones and bracelets – things that can be worn or concealed in pockets. Some Syrians bring a symbol of their religious faith, others clutch a reminder of home or of happier times.
A doctor, Waleed, 37, poses for a portrait in the Médecins Sans Frontières clinic where he works in Domiz refugee camp in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq on 16 November 2012. Waleed fled Syria with his wife and their newborn baby in early 2012. The most important thing that Waleed was able to bring with him is the photograph of his wife that he holds here. Although they are still together, he says, "This is important because she gave me this photo back home before we were married, during the time when we were dating. It always brings me great memories and reminds me of my happiest time back home in Syria.”
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A doctor, Waleed, 37, poses for a portrait in the Médecins Sans Frontières clinic where he works in Domiz refugee camp in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq on 16 November 2012. Waleed fled Syria with his wife and their newborn baby in early 2012. The most important thing that Waleed was able to bring with him is the photograph of his wife that he holds here. Although they are still together, he says, "This is important because she gave me this photo back home before we were married, during the time when we were dating. It always brings me great memories and reminds me of my happiest time back home in Syria.”
May*, 8, poses for a portrait in Domiz refugee camp in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq on 16 November 2012. She and her family arrived in Domiz about one month before this photograph was taken, having fled their home in Damascus.  Since arriving in Domiz, she has had recurring nightmares in which her father is violently killed. She is now attending school, and says she finally feels safe. May hopes to be a photographer when she grows up. The most important thing she was able to bring with her when she left home is the set of bracelets she wears in this photograph.
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May*, 8, poses for a portrait in Domiz refugee camp in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq on 16 November 2012. She and her family arrived in Domiz about one month before this photograph was taken, having fled their home in Damascus.  Since arriving in Domiz, she has had recurring nightmares in which her father is violently killed. She is now attending school, and says she finally feels safe. May hopes to be a photographer when she grows up.
The most important thing she was able to bring with her when she left home is the set of bracelets she wears in this photograph.
Abdul* poses for a portrait in an urban structure in the Bekaa Valley of Lebanon on 12 December 2012. He and his family fled their apartment in the Syrian capital of Damascus shortly after his wife was wounded in the crossfire between armed groups. At the time this photograph was taken several months later, they and nearly a dozen other family members were living in a single concrete room provided by a Lebanese widow. Now the extended family shares two structures, as UNHCR and the Danish Refugee Council have constructed a plywood shelter for Abdul, his wife, their daughter and her children to share. The most important thing Abdul was able to bring from Syria when he fled are the keys to his home, which he holds in this photograph. Although he doesn't know if the family's apartment is still standing, he dreams every day of returning home. "God willing, I will see you this time next year in Damascus," he told the photographer after this portrait was taken.
7 Abdul* poses for a portrait in an urban structure in the Bekaa Valley of Lebanon on 12 December 2012. He and his family fled their apartment in the Syrian capital of Damascus shortly after his wife was wounded in the crossfire between armed groups. At the time this photograph was taken several months later, they and nearly a dozen other family members were living in a single concrete room provided by a Lebanese widow. Now the extended family shares two structures, as UNHCR and the Danish Refugee Council have constructed a plywood shelter for Abdul, his wife, their daughter and her children to share.
The most important thing Abdul was able to bring from Syria when he fled are the keys to his home, which he holds in this photograph. Although he doesn't know if the family's apartment is still standing, he dreams every day of returning home. "God willing, I will see you this time next year in Damascus," he told the photographer after this portrait was taken.
Tamara*, 20, poses for a portrait in Adiyaman refugee camp in Turkey on 5 December 2012. After Tamara's home in Idlib was partially destroyed in September, the family decided their best chance of safety was to reach the Syrian-Turkish border.  "We spent 40 days on the Syrian side of the border with very little water and no electricity. The hygiene there was very poor. I got food poisoning and was sick for a week." The most important thing she was able to bring with her is her diploma, which she holds in this photograph. With it she will be able to continue her education in Turkey.
8 Tamara*, 20, poses for a portrait in Adiyaman refugee camp in Turkey on 5 December 2012. After Tamara's home in Idlib was partially destroyed in September, the family decided their best chance of safety was to reach the Syrian-Turkish border.  "We spent 40 days on the Syrian side of the border with very little water and no electricity. The hygiene there was very poor. I got food poisoning and was sick for a week."
The most important thing she was able to bring with her is her diploma, which she holds in this photograph. With it she will be able to continue her education in Turkey.

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