Greece 2016: Stagnation

In 2015, I documented the refugee crisis at its peak in Europe and Lebanon. What was once a journey in the making is now a stagnation since the borders of European Union have been closed in March 2016. The exile is now about waiting.
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En 2015, j'avais documenté la crise des réfugiés en Europe et au Liban à son apogée. Ce qui était un périple s'est transformé en stagnation depuis la fermeture des frontières européennes en mars 2016. L'exil est maintenant une attente.

Hara Hotel refugee camp before it was closed down. Refugees had to pay a rent for their tents in a field next to the hostel, living in terrible conditions.
Polykastro area, Greece. May 2016.
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After their arrival on the Greek islands, all the refugees had to go through the port of Athens, Piraeus. They now live there permanently, living among the huge boats they used to come with, reminding them constantly of their stillness.

Port of Piraeus, Athens, Greece. May 2016
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The improvised camps and makeshift tents that sprawled among the ports have since then been moved out after the whole place was acquired by a Chinese conglomerate.

Port of Piraeus, Athens, Greece. May 2016
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Some of the refugee camps show extremely difficult living conditions for its inhabitants like the camp of Ristona in the woods.

Ritsona, Greece. May 2016.
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One of the biggest issues concerning the refugees is the education of the children. They spend their days doing nothing in the camps and getting behind a lot on their school cursus.. On the long term, it is crucial for them to receive some kind of education to have a chance of a brighter future.

Oynofita, Greece. May 2016.
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The refugee camp of Idomeni was famous as one of the biggest improvised camps in Europe. As many as 20 000 refugees were living there next to the Macedonian border, hoping it would open again. After many violent protests and difficult living conditions, the government decided to close it down and relocate its inhabitants. There was some protests from the volunteers working inside as the police closed the camp without notice. A bus full of refugees pass in front of the protesters and policement.

Idomeni, Greece, May 2016.
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Emptiness where once lived thousands.

Idomeni, Greece, May 2016.
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Emptiness where once lived thousands.

Idomeni, Greece, May 2016.
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The Agean Sea has been the witness to too many tragedies as thousands of inflatable boats have crossed its water over the years which has made her sadly famous. Now, the Turkish coast is still visible but not the incoming boats as only one or two arrive occasionally.

Lesvos Island, Greece. June 2016.
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The tents used by the NGOs to help refugees landing on the island are now empty reminders of the intense activities and events that took place on these once pristine beaches.

Lesvos Island, Greece. June 2016.
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One life-jacket for every life that went through the perilous journey across the Aegean Sea. They are left on the island in an improvised landfill and there is no solution at the moment to recycle or get rid of them.

Lesvos Island, Greece. June 2016.
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Life that was supposed to be transitory in the camps is now a permanent state and routine settles in. Bakers are setting up shops in the camps and initiatives are spreading.

Eko Petrol station Camp, Polykastro area, Greece. May 2016.
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After months of waiting in the camps, refugees are starting to get bored and looking for something to do with their lives. No school, no work, they are just waiting for things to change, borders to open, a war to end or papers to arrive.

Eko Petrol station Camp, Polykastro area, Greece. May 2016.
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Kids always find ways to entertain themselves and make the best of the worst situations. They spend their days (and nights) playing around in the best cases but also lose time for their education.

Eko Petrol station Camp, Polykastro area, Greece. May 2016.
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After having closed down the improvised camps throughout the country, Greek authorities have put in place new and official camps managed by the army. Conditions are supposed to be better, a cleaner and safer environment professionally managed but everything is not going perfectly just yet.

Oreokastro, Thessaloniki area, Greece. May 2016.
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Refugees must start their lives anew once more in the new camps, settling in for an unknown duration, weeks, months or years.

Oreokastro, Thessaloniki area, Greece. May 2016.
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Ramadan in exile.
Kara Tepe camp, Lesvos Island, Greece. June 2016
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Even on Lesvos island, the camps have been housing refugees for some months now and they are preparing for the long term and the uncertainty. Boats have started to come back on the island once more recently and things could change in a matter of days.

Kara Tepe camp, Lesvos Island, Greece. June 2016
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Since the beginning of the crisis, Greek people have been overall very welcoming and helpful towards refugees and organizations. Volunteers initiatives have started all over the country to support refugees.

Lesvos Island, Greece. June 2016
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