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 Cuts in the support 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.
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

Why are people fleeing to Europe?

Tiril Skarstein|Published 18. Nov 2015
Greece Syria crisis
More than 800.000 people have crossed the Mediterranean to get to Europe this year – most of them from Syria and Afghanistan. <br/><br/>Six people who have made the dangerous journey, explain why they fled.
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 Suicide bombings 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”.

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