{"id":8919,"date":"2019-12-31T23:56:50","date_gmt":"2020-01-01T07:56:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/worldcampaign.net\/?p=8919"},"modified":"2020-01-01T02:57:22","modified_gmt":"2020-01-01T10:57:22","slug":"post2-70","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/worldcampaign.net\/?p=8919","title":{"rendered":"&#8220;&#8216;Looking back, I realise I was naive&#8217;: reporting on the refugee crisis&#8221;, The Guardian"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"immersive-header-container immersive-header-container--photo-essay\">\n<div class=\"content__wrapper--standfirst\">\n<div class=\"gs-container\">\n<div class=\"content__main-column\">\n<div class=\"content__standfirst content__standfirst--immersive-article\" data-link-name=\"standfirst\" data-component=\"standfirst\">\n<p>Alice Aedy and Eleni Stefanou, London, 31 Dec 2019<\/p>\n<p><em>When photographer <strong>Alice Aedy <\/strong>first covered the refugee crisis in 2016 she believed Europe would respond with humanity to images of families seeking shelter and safety. As conditions on the Greek islands worsen, however, she reflects on her role as a photojournalist with our social platforms editor <strong>Eleni Stefanou<\/strong>. Aedy met some of those surviving in the heavily overcrowded Moria camp on Lesbos with the support of NGO <a class=\"u-underline\" href=\"https:\/\/helprefugees.org\/\" data-link-name=\"in standfirst link\">Help Refugees<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<article id=\"article\" class=\"content content--article content--immersive content--immersive-article tonal tonal--tone-news section-world-news \" data-test-id=\"article-root\">\n<div class=\"content__main tonal__main tonal__main--tone-news\">\n<div class=\"gs-container\">\n<div class=\"content__main-column content__main-column--article js-content-main-column\">\n<div class=\"content__meta-container content__meta-container--no-byline js-content-meta u-cf \"><\/div>\n<div class=\"content__article-body from-content-api js-article__body\" data-test-id=\"article-review-body\">\n<p>There was a tangible sense in 2016 that, if only the world knew what was happening, we would rise to tackle the challenge of the refugee crisis. I never thought that three years on little would have changed. In fact, the situation in <a class=\"u-underline in-body-link--immersive\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/greece\" data-link-name=\"auto-linked-tag\" data-component=\"auto-linked-tag\">Greece<\/a> seems more bleak than ever.<\/p>\n<p>Looking back, I realise I was naive. We have not only failed, we have broken promises. Britain pledged to take 3,000 unaccompanied minors. We have taken just over 200.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"img-2\" class=\"element element-image img--landscape fig--narrow-caption fig--has-shares element-image--photo-essay\" data-component=\"image\" data-media-id=\"c223b0375a036563b8e30f4f1798f0c52443875f\"><\/figure>\n<p>The conditions in the camps are squalid and chaotic. Interviewing people in their temporary homes, I started to imagine sharing a tiny tent, a space not big enough to stand up in, with my five family members. Even the thought is unfathomable.<\/p>\n<p>The first person I interviewed was a 24-year-old Afghan woman who had lost her sister on the journey from Afghanistan to Greece. As I watched tears stream down her face, I had to hold back my own.<\/p>\n<aside class=\"element element-pullquote element--inline element-pullquote--photo-essay\">\n<blockquote>\n<p class=\"pullquote-paragraph\">Life here is very difficult. The toilet is very dark and dirty. They said we will only get our bank card in eight months<\/p>\n<footer><cite class=\"pullquote-cite\">Fatima Hosseini, 70<\/cite><\/footer>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"element element-pullquote element--inline element-pullquote--photo-essay\">\n<blockquote>\n<p class=\"pullquote-paragraph\">The fighting and theft in this camp is a big problem. People are desperate<\/p>\n<footer><cite class=\"pullquote-cite\">Marzieh Haidare, 45<\/cite><\/footer>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/aside>\n<p>I hate asking the same reductive questions to each person I meet &#8211; \u201cWhere are you from?\u201d \u201cWhy did you leave?\u201d &#8211; knowing that what they say will never do justice to the pain and hardship of their journey. What I really wanted to ask everyone I met was \u201cHow do you survive here?\u201d, but the words wouldn\u2019t leave my lips for fear I would alienate them.<\/p>\n<aside class=\"element element-pullquote element--supporting element-pullquote--photo-essay\">\n<blockquote>\n<p class=\"pullquote-paragraph\">In Afghanistan, I was a teacher. I lived with honour. Here at night with my three children, we shake with fear<\/p>\n<footer><cite class=\"pullquote-cite\">Masouma Ibrahimi, 42<\/cite><\/footer>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/aside>\n<figure id=\"img-3\" class=\"element element-image img--landscape fig--narrow-caption fig--has-shares element-image--photo-essay\" data-component=\"image\" data-media-id=\"549f211d83312b599f5d4b416f0b563f996100c7\">\n<div class=\"u-responsive-ratio\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/549f211d83312b599f5d4b416f0b563f996100c7\/292_0_6611_5304\/master\/6611.jpg?width=620&amp;quality=45&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;dpr=2&amp;s=9b0ad1dfe9068500ac31d1413fad09c8 1240w\" media=\"(min-width: 660px) and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (min-width: 660px) and (min-resolution: 120dpi)\" sizes=\"620px\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/549f211d83312b599f5d4b416f0b563f996100c7\/292_0_6611_5304\/master\/6611.jpg?width=620&amp;quality=85&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;s=63f82171d4d2b528aa1344b9a37aaf7a 620w\" media=\"(min-width: 660px)\" sizes=\"620px\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/549f211d83312b599f5d4b416f0b563f996100c7\/292_0_6611_5304\/master\/6611.jpg?width=605&amp;quality=45&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;dpr=2&amp;s=4d7441f80b14cea1d18b704d1bd3c3fd 1210w\" media=\"(min-width: 480px) and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (min-width: 480px) and (min-resolution: 120dpi)\" sizes=\"605px\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/549f211d83312b599f5d4b416f0b563f996100c7\/292_0_6611_5304\/master\/6611.jpg?width=605&amp;quality=85&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;s=8658a44de87ebbc967a7c55f3259ec73 605w\" media=\"(min-width: 480px)\" sizes=\"605px\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/549f211d83312b599f5d4b416f0b563f996100c7\/292_0_6611_5304\/master\/6611.jpg?width=445&amp;quality=45&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;dpr=2&amp;s=c9e3c81412d5e955ac4363022cb96509 890w\" media=\"(min-width: 0px) and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (min-width: 0px) and (min-resolution: 120dpi)\" sizes=\"445px\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/549f211d83312b599f5d4b416f0b563f996100c7\/292_0_6611_5304\/master\/6611.jpg?width=445&amp;quality=85&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;s=03e5256c3704161d593a85ce4e88bee9 445w\" media=\"(min-width: 0px)\" sizes=\"445px\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"gu-image\" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/549f211d83312b599f5d4b416f0b563f996100c7\/292_0_6611_5304\/master\/6611.jpg?width=300&amp;quality=85&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;s=418c4a59da241bf6a27041159b792946\" alt=\"In Afghanistan I was a teacher. I lived with honour. During the night with my three children, we are shaking with fear.\" \/><\/picture><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<ul>\n<li>Masouma Ibrahimi, 42, Afghanistan with Ali Aghbar, seven, and Ali Akbar, two.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>I weaved through muddy tracks in the tiny spaces between cramped tents, with a crisscross of cables above providing enough energy for a small light in each tent. Everywhere I looked, kids played in filth. I counted just two sets of portable cabin toilets for almost 13,000 people. Next to them, a pile of rubbish as tall as me. I was heartbroken to hear from countless women that they were unable go to the toilet alone at night for fear of being raped.<\/p>\n<aside class=\"element element-pullquote element--supporting element-pullquote--photo-essay\">\n<blockquote>\n<p class=\"pullquote-paragraph\">In Afghanistan, you can die in a moment. Here, in each moment we are dying. There is no humanity here<\/p>\n<footer><cite class=\"pullquote-cite\">Fatima Hosseini, 25<\/cite><\/footer>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/aside>\n<figure id=\"img-4\" class=\"element element-image img--portrait fig--narrow-caption fig--has-shares element-image--photo-essay\" data-component=\"image\" data-media-id=\"2d68abf0d593fc470b0bf6696952f22dfcf08b67\">\n<div class=\"u-responsive-ratio\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/2d68abf0d593fc470b0bf6696952f22dfcf08b67\/0_1325_5304_6627\/master\/5304.jpg?width=620&amp;quality=45&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;dpr=2&amp;s=a767da2f41efb3968918693d74d97f42 1240w\" media=\"(min-width: 660px) and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (min-width: 660px) and (min-resolution: 120dpi)\" sizes=\"620px\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/2d68abf0d593fc470b0bf6696952f22dfcf08b67\/0_1325_5304_6627\/master\/5304.jpg?width=620&amp;quality=85&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;s=57e0a99786464667543013b70e904cea 620w\" media=\"(min-width: 660px)\" sizes=\"620px\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/2d68abf0d593fc470b0bf6696952f22dfcf08b67\/0_1325_5304_6627\/master\/5304.jpg?width=605&amp;quality=45&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;dpr=2&amp;s=3171cae94cb1d255484ffe8b0b17a3b4 1210w\" media=\"(min-width: 480px) and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (min-width: 480px) and (min-resolution: 120dpi)\" sizes=\"605px\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/2d68abf0d593fc470b0bf6696952f22dfcf08b67\/0_1325_5304_6627\/master\/5304.jpg?width=605&amp;quality=85&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;s=62c15dea455cbf95076757e8abc60f91 605w\" media=\"(min-width: 480px)\" sizes=\"605px\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/2d68abf0d593fc470b0bf6696952f22dfcf08b67\/0_1325_5304_6627\/master\/5304.jpg?width=445&amp;quality=45&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;dpr=2&amp;s=ecdccf78a4cf6ed8d812e355bbcf7c70 890w\" media=\"(min-width: 0px) and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (min-width: 0px) and (min-resolution: 120dpi)\" sizes=\"445px\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/2d68abf0d593fc470b0bf6696952f22dfcf08b67\/0_1325_5304_6627\/master\/5304.jpg?width=445&amp;quality=85&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;s=3313faff632d0a1bb10e2df933461380 445w\" media=\"(min-width: 0px)\" sizes=\"445px\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"gu-image\" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/2d68abf0d593fc470b0bf6696952f22dfcf08b67\/0_1325_5304_6627\/master\/5304.jpg?width=300&amp;quality=85&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;s=5fa1de92845b6dd96f7ae9d0c527af75\" alt=\"Fatima Hosseini, 25\" \/><\/picture><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<ul>\n<li>Fatima Hosseini, 25<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>I met a 25-year-old Afghan woman called Fatima Hosseini. I will never forget her words. Practically speechless, I said softly: \u201cI\u2019m so sorry.\u201d She replied: \u201cEveryone comes here and says sorry. I hate this word.\u201d I took her portrait, knowing I may not be able to give her anything in return.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"img-5\" class=\"element element-image img--landscape element--immersive fig--narrow-caption fig--has-shares element-image--photo-essay\" data-component=\"image\" data-media-id=\"926050a4359060b510d513d04ec116073937512e\">\n<div class=\"u-responsive-ratio\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/926050a4359060b510d513d04ec116073937512e\/92_502_7780_4802\/master\/7780.jpg?width=1300&amp;quality=45&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;dpr=2&amp;s=f91150c3a8a36699ca09c66c46c701f8 2600w\" media=\"(min-width: 1300px) and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (min-width: 1300px) and (min-resolution: 120dpi)\" sizes=\"1300px\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/926050a4359060b510d513d04ec116073937512e\/92_502_7780_4802\/master\/7780.jpg?width=1300&amp;quality=85&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;s=be4a0049ab66c9c7e0945cfe7e0b5f3f 1300w\" media=\"(min-width: 1300px)\" sizes=\"1300px\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/926050a4359060b510d513d04ec116073937512e\/92_502_7780_4802\/master\/7780.jpg?width=1140&amp;quality=45&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;dpr=2&amp;s=eeecf3c7ef9130b2008399d8644c0e84 2280w\" media=\"(min-width: 1140px) and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (min-width: 1140px) and (min-resolution: 120dpi)\" sizes=\"1140px\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/926050a4359060b510d513d04ec116073937512e\/92_502_7780_4802\/master\/7780.jpg?width=1140&amp;quality=85&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;s=13a93bd63137dbea36cabd92b9f786a5 1140w\" media=\"(min-width: 1140px)\" sizes=\"1140px\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/926050a4359060b510d513d04ec116073937512e\/92_502_7780_4802\/master\/7780.jpg?width=1125&amp;quality=45&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;dpr=2&amp;s=0ac7cd34a4df83d2d810720eeec398eb 2250w\" media=\"(min-width: 980px) and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (min-width: 980px) and (min-resolution: 120dpi)\" sizes=\"1125px\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/926050a4359060b510d513d04ec116073937512e\/92_502_7780_4802\/master\/7780.jpg?width=1125&amp;quality=85&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;s=80ed39b39dc591251fd6136c3f868291 1125w\" media=\"(min-width: 980px)\" sizes=\"1125px\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/926050a4359060b510d513d04ec116073937512e\/92_502_7780_4802\/master\/7780.jpg?width=965&amp;quality=45&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;dpr=2&amp;s=2a0c48efed9f6d5722ea40c81245303c 1930w\" media=\"(min-width: 740px) and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (min-width: 740px) and (min-resolution: 120dpi)\" sizes=\"965px\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/926050a4359060b510d513d04ec116073937512e\/92_502_7780_4802\/master\/7780.jpg?width=965&amp;quality=85&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;s=c93fcfd90a68862ad0975373ed3869a4 965w\" media=\"(min-width: 740px)\" sizes=\"965px\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/926050a4359060b510d513d04ec116073937512e\/92_502_7780_4802\/master\/7780.jpg?width=725&amp;quality=45&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;dpr=2&amp;s=74c5962b8f4599af70f536e113615550 1450w\" media=\"(min-width: 660px) and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (min-width: 660px) and (min-resolution: 120dpi)\" sizes=\"725px\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/926050a4359060b510d513d04ec116073937512e\/92_502_7780_4802\/master\/7780.jpg?width=725&amp;quality=85&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;s=3f2914061bd6cfc788d682b140ec4017 725w\" media=\"(min-width: 660px)\" sizes=\"725px\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/926050a4359060b510d513d04ec116073937512e\/92_502_7780_4802\/master\/7780.jpg?width=645&amp;quality=45&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;dpr=2&amp;s=dcc4147f9411c9f283ab49a320cfe8aa 1290w\" media=\"(min-width: 480px) and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (min-width: 480px) and (min-resolution: 120dpi)\" sizes=\"645px\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/926050a4359060b510d513d04ec116073937512e\/92_502_7780_4802\/master\/7780.jpg?width=645&amp;quality=85&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;s=5d8b60ebea7c8512ff14b365027cab7e 645w\" media=\"(min-width: 480px)\" sizes=\"645px\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/926050a4359060b510d513d04ec116073937512e\/92_502_7780_4802\/master\/7780.jpg?width=465&amp;quality=45&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;dpr=2&amp;s=dc6dad936a4385a3a05136163ebfa557 930w\" media=\"(min-width: 0px) and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (min-width: 0px) and (min-resolution: 120dpi)\" sizes=\"465px\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/926050a4359060b510d513d04ec116073937512e\/92_502_7780_4802\/master\/7780.jpg?width=465&amp;quality=85&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;s=1f8fd5bf80a4ea826c21d80f8f5e7dd6 465w\" media=\"(min-width: 0px)\" sizes=\"465px\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"gu-image\" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/926050a4359060b510d513d04ec116073937512e\/92_502_7780_4802\/master\/7780.jpg?width=300&amp;quality=85&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;s=2ca99b00cd745217f86a6fcf07fb3a11\" alt=\"Mohammad Rezwani and his family - \u201cLife is so hard and stressful here, but we have to keep smiling. Our message to the international community, anyone in power who can help us. If you are are human, if you want a safe and secure life for your family, that is all we want too. We don\u2019t want luxury, we just want safety.\u201d -\" \/><\/picture><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<ul>\n<li>Mohammad Rezwani and his family<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>It\u2019s hard not to be acutely aware that at the end of the day, I was able to leave the horrors of the camp behind. I never quite shake off the discomfort of such an unjust imbalance of power.<\/p>\n<p>Moria is an old military base designed to house 3,000 people, but it\u2019s home to more than 14,000. Makeshift hairdressers and market stalls were a few reminders of civilisation in the chaos of everyday life in the camp.<\/p>\n<aside class=\"element element-pullquote element--supporting element-pullquote--photo-essay\">\n<blockquote>\n<p class=\"pullquote-paragraph\">We don\u2019t live here. We just survive. I can\u2019t sleep. I had my first day at school yesterday. The activities distract me<\/p>\n<footer><cite class=\"pullquote-cite\">Zayneb, 15<\/cite><\/footer>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/aside>\n<figure id=\"img-6\" class=\"element element-image img--portrait fig--narrow-caption fig--has-shares element-image--photo-essay\" data-component=\"image\" data-media-id=\"5bd85b821ac32a7f8c4e422c15eb486ea0f4dff1\">\n<div class=\"u-responsive-ratio\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/5bd85b821ac32a7f8c4e422c15eb486ea0f4dff1\/0_1421_5304_6033\/master\/5304.jpg?width=620&amp;quality=45&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;dpr=2&amp;s=2508c8f0a67162b5ca8ab04b6c7a1e7f 1240w\" media=\"(min-width: 660px) and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (min-width: 660px) and (min-resolution: 120dpi)\" sizes=\"620px\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/5bd85b821ac32a7f8c4e422c15eb486ea0f4dff1\/0_1421_5304_6033\/master\/5304.jpg?width=620&amp;quality=85&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;s=1ace4e8adb75696f23272099138ebe58 620w\" media=\"(min-width: 660px)\" sizes=\"620px\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/5bd85b821ac32a7f8c4e422c15eb486ea0f4dff1\/0_1421_5304_6033\/master\/5304.jpg?width=605&amp;quality=45&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;dpr=2&amp;s=b5bca5c17b2497b6aaccdbcbf52065e8 1210w\" media=\"(min-width: 480px) and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (min-width: 480px) and (min-resolution: 120dpi)\" sizes=\"605px\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/5bd85b821ac32a7f8c4e422c15eb486ea0f4dff1\/0_1421_5304_6033\/master\/5304.jpg?width=605&amp;quality=85&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;s=af326ca7c49cdb793c218e02f5e1ba61 605w\" media=\"(min-width: 480px)\" sizes=\"605px\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/5bd85b821ac32a7f8c4e422c15eb486ea0f4dff1\/0_1421_5304_6033\/master\/5304.jpg?width=445&amp;quality=45&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;dpr=2&amp;s=d7f09f071f8966334f366b80990a307b 890w\" media=\"(min-width: 0px) and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (min-width: 0px) and (min-resolution: 120dpi)\" sizes=\"445px\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/5bd85b821ac32a7f8c4e422c15eb486ea0f4dff1\/0_1421_5304_6033\/master\/5304.jpg?width=445&amp;quality=85&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;s=332c709393389a09f5a0a0e6d0de05bb 445w\" media=\"(min-width: 0px)\" sizes=\"445px\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"gu-image\" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/5bd85b821ac32a7f8c4e422c15eb486ea0f4dff1\/0_1421_5304_6033\/master\/5304.jpg?width=300&amp;quality=85&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;s=aaac66645266c9cc1feac25fd3e26d1c\" alt=\"Zayneb, 15; \u201cWe don\u2019t have a life here. We are just surviving. I wake up every night. I can\u2019t sleep. I had my first day at the School of Peace yesterday. These activities distract me.\u201d\" \/><\/picture><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p>Many Greek people have been unsung heroes on the frontline of the crisis, but the national mood has grown increasingly hostile to refugees. The volunteers I met, many of them Greek, were exhausted. The strain on those living on the islands is evident. On some of the islands the number of migrants is now equal or close to the number of residents. Tensions will only grow as these conditions are allowed to worsen.<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"u-underline in-body-link--immersive\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/2019\/nov\/25\/aid-groups-condemn-greece-over-prison-camps-for-migrants\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">Locking people up indefinitely<\/a> is not a solution. We must see a serious commitment from the Greek government to put a place in plan to provide asylum and routes to resettlement. However, Greece must not be left alone to provide an adequate immigration policy. This is a collective European problem that needs a collective European response. Refugees arriving on Greek shores have fled violence and untold horrors. They do not deserve to be met with detention, hostility and further suffering.<\/p>\n<aside class=\"element element-pullquote element--supporting element-pullquote--photo-essay\">\n<blockquote>\n<p class=\"pullquote-paragraph\">European countries always say there are no human rights in Islamic countries. But look, do you see human rights here?<\/p>\n<footer><cite class=\"pullquote-cite\">Yassin Raqyar, 27<\/cite><\/footer>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/aside>\n<p>The photo of <a class=\"u-underline in-body-link--immersive\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/2015\/sep\/02\/shocking-image-of-drowned-syrian-boy-shows-tragic-plight-of-refugees\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">A<\/a><a class=\"u-underline in-body-link--immersive\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/2015\/sep\/02\/shocking-image-of-drowned-syrian-boy-shows-tragic-plight-of-refugees\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">lan Kurdi<\/a> symbolised the power of photography to capture the world\u2019s attention, even for a brief moment. The three-year-old\u2019s tragic death inspired the establishment of the remarkable grassroots organisation <a class=\"u-underline in-body-link--immersive\" href=\"https:\/\/helprefugees.org\/\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">Help Refugees<\/a>, and was ultimately a catalyst for the work I do now.<\/p>\n<p>I wish I could say his death had been a wakeup call for us all, but since 2015 we have turned a blind eye as the Mediterranean has become <a class=\"u-underline in-body-link--immersive\" href=\"https:\/\/news.un.org\/en\/story\/2017\/11\/637162-mediterranean-crossing-still-worlds-deadliest-migrants-un-report\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">the most dangerous border in the world.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>I have felt increasingly disillusioned, but I hope I never lose faith in the power of the image. Hope also comes from the actions of the grassroots groups on the Greek islands providing the most basic services where governments are failing. The brave heroes who have crowdfunded for rescue boats and now patrol the seas saving lives every week. The volunteers who have been the sole provider of toilets, showers and taps in and around the Moria camp for the last few years. The teachers, doctors and dentists who leave their homes across Europe and volunteer in their holidays to help others.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"img-7\" class=\"element element-image img--portrait element--halfWidth fig--narrow-caption fig--has-shares element-image--photo-essay half-width-odd\" data-component=\"image\" data-media-id=\"728c2034d83a5b22220a78f65bb741f581879d33\">\n<div class=\"u-responsive-ratio\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/728c2034d83a5b22220a78f65bb741f581879d33\/87_1435_5217_6517\/master\/5217.jpg?width=620&amp;quality=45&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;dpr=2&amp;s=c93ba2af965d1297646a3feab5e49dc9 1240w\" media=\"(min-width: 660px) and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (min-width: 660px) and (min-resolution: 120dpi)\" sizes=\"620px\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/728c2034d83a5b22220a78f65bb741f581879d33\/87_1435_5217_6517\/master\/5217.jpg?width=620&amp;quality=85&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;s=b1e8d3ddfb15e77ee00b598724b0ede5 620w\" media=\"(min-width: 660px)\" sizes=\"620px\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/728c2034d83a5b22220a78f65bb741f581879d33\/87_1435_5217_6517\/master\/5217.jpg?width=605&amp;quality=45&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;dpr=2&amp;s=e9f89004b8298f7ff753bcc3c35bf27e 1210w\" media=\"(min-width: 480px) and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (min-width: 480px) and (min-resolution: 120dpi)\" sizes=\"605px\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/728c2034d83a5b22220a78f65bb741f581879d33\/87_1435_5217_6517\/master\/5217.jpg?width=605&amp;quality=85&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;s=d98ec5c0f98387a3036194802d99cff5 605w\" media=\"(min-width: 480px)\" sizes=\"605px\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/728c2034d83a5b22220a78f65bb741f581879d33\/87_1435_5217_6517\/master\/5217.jpg?width=445&amp;quality=45&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;dpr=2&amp;s=f04a53e094d50a4b8454071362e2e4cb 890w\" media=\"(min-width: 0px) and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (min-width: 0px) and (min-resolution: 120dpi)\" sizes=\"445px\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/728c2034d83a5b22220a78f65bb741f581879d33\/87_1435_5217_6517\/master\/5217.jpg?width=445&amp;quality=85&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;s=8c341fab0a491c28272bd339c071db0a 445w\" media=\"(min-width: 0px)\" sizes=\"445px\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"gu-image\" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/728c2034d83a5b22220a78f65bb741f581879d33\/87_1435_5217_6517\/master\/5217.jpg?width=300&amp;quality=85&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;s=676ff321156985b5f8ac2c4d974d84fc\" alt=\"\u201cI didn\u2019t know a place like this existed. I would rather have died in my country.\u201d\" \/><\/picture><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<figure id=\"img-8\" class=\"element element-image img--portrait element--halfWidth fig--narrow-caption fig--has-shares element-image--photo-essay\" data-component=\"image\" data-media-id=\"51d334182c1b744a7fcc987fd144b0bc4fa56cdf\">\n<div class=\"u-responsive-ratio\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/51d334182c1b744a7fcc987fd144b0bc4fa56cdf\/0_301_5115_6391\/master\/5115.jpg?width=620&amp;quality=45&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;dpr=2&amp;s=646dcd8315353bf0c68bcc9355555b05 1240w\" media=\"(min-width: 660px) and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (min-width: 660px) and (min-resolution: 120dpi)\" sizes=\"620px\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/51d334182c1b744a7fcc987fd144b0bc4fa56cdf\/0_301_5115_6391\/master\/5115.jpg?width=620&amp;quality=85&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;s=5687590a5d5feb7f92f986f631fc91e3 620w\" media=\"(min-width: 660px)\" sizes=\"620px\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/51d334182c1b744a7fcc987fd144b0bc4fa56cdf\/0_301_5115_6391\/master\/5115.jpg?width=605&amp;quality=45&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;dpr=2&amp;s=eab9d49c02239edf1cb0445a64c4035c 1210w\" media=\"(min-width: 480px) and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (min-width: 480px) and (min-resolution: 120dpi)\" sizes=\"605px\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/51d334182c1b744a7fcc987fd144b0bc4fa56cdf\/0_301_5115_6391\/master\/5115.jpg?width=605&amp;quality=85&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;s=2bf9ffc6245a07d8268c6f0ad78501fa 605w\" media=\"(min-width: 480px)\" sizes=\"605px\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/51d334182c1b744a7fcc987fd144b0bc4fa56cdf\/0_301_5115_6391\/master\/5115.jpg?width=445&amp;quality=45&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;dpr=2&amp;s=dcab314814397ca09284bec25959a00c 890w\" media=\"(min-width: 0px) and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (min-width: 0px) and (min-resolution: 120dpi)\" sizes=\"445px\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/51d334182c1b744a7fcc987fd144b0bc4fa56cdf\/0_301_5115_6391\/master\/5115.jpg?width=445&amp;quality=85&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;s=436dd240aa2393ae9a0f266a318eea21 445w\" media=\"(min-width: 0px)\" sizes=\"445px\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"gu-image\" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/51d334182c1b744a7fcc987fd144b0bc4fa56cdf\/0_301_5115_6391\/master\/5115.jpg?width=300&amp;quality=85&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;s=19a0ed3bb0a1fa928cfab64afca1bfee\" alt=\"Moria refugee camp\" \/><\/picture><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p>Hope comes from those around the world who still care. It is only by recognising our shared humanity that we accept our moral responsibility to those knocking at Europe\u2019s door. It is ultimately a test of our character.<\/p>\n<aside class=\"element element-pullquote element--inline element-pullquote--photo-essay\">\n<blockquote>\n<p class=\"pullquote-paragraph\">Life is so hard and stressful here, but we have to keep smiling. This is our message to anyone in power who can help us. If you are human, if you want a safe and secure life for your family, that is all we want, too<\/p>\n<footer><cite class=\"pullquote-cite\">Mohammad Rezwani<\/cite><\/footer>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/aside>\n<blockquote class=\"photo-essay-block-quote\"><p><a class=\"u-underline in-body-link--immersive\" href=\"https:\/\/helprefugees.org\/\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">Help Refugees<\/a> supports over 100 projects across Europe, the Middle East and on the US-Mexico border, working with local partners and over 30,000 volunteers to provide aid and long-term solutions to improve the lives of refugees.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/2019\/dec\/31\/looking-back-i-realise-i-was-naive-reporting-on-the-refugee-crisis\">The Guardian<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Alice Aedy and Eleni Stefanou, London, 31 Dec 2019 When photographer Alice Aedy first covered the refugee crisis in 2016 she believed Europe would respond with humanity to images of families seeking shelter and safety. As conditions on the Greek islands worsen, however, she reflects on her role as a photojournalist with our social platforms [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1001004,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[53],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/worldcampaign.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8919"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/worldcampaign.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/worldcampaign.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worldcampaign.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1001004"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worldcampaign.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=8919"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/worldcampaign.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8919\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8935,"href":"https:\/\/worldcampaign.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8919\/revisions\/8935"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/worldcampaign.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=8919"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worldcampaign.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=8919"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worldcampaign.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=8919"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}