Macedonia - The Transit

The sea is behind but the new home is still far away. After having passed through the most dangerous part of the journey, the refugees still have thousands of miles to cross to reach their final destination. The journey is not an easy one and buses follow trains, long walks with barely any opportunity to properly rest. Although it can be said that things improved since the beginning of the mass exile where robberies, attacks and accidents with trains were frequent, the situation is always changing. I want to emphasize that as politics change, so do the situations for the refugees. At the time that these pictures were taken (October 2015), the camp border from Greece to Macedonia (FYROM) was open to all refugees regardless of their nationalities. On November 18th, it all changed when European Union ordered Macedonia (FYROM) to close its border to refugees except Syrians, Iraqis and Afghans as they were the only ones considered war refugees. As of today (30-12-2015), the border is still closed to all these other nationalities.

*** VERSION FRANÇAISE ***

Tired but still going on with strong determination, she is the image of how I picture the journey of the refugees. Gevgelija, Macedonia (FYROM).
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Finding a rare moment and place to sleep along the journey. These men will arrive in Athens and start the long journey as soon as they get off the ferry. Aegean Sea, Greece.
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They arrived in Greece in a tiny dinghy boat and they are now dwarfed by the huge ferry that brought them safely to Athens. Piraeus, Athens, Greece.
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After the boat, a bus to the border with Macedonia (FYROM). The whole journey is a tiring and never ending series of transportation, walks, wait, registration with few moments to truly rest, sleep or even take a shower. Idomeni, Greek-Macedonian border, Greece.
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A man writes with his cellphone in the night while waiting to be allowed to cross the border. Cellphones are vital tools for refugees as they can stay in touch with their families and back home or further down the road and get reunited with lost relatives. Idomeni, Greece.
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Some cross the border on foot, others on the shoulders of their dad. This is what the border between Greece and Macedonia looks like when it's open; a path between two wooden sticks and barbed wire fence. Idomeni/Gevgelija, Greek-Macedonian border.
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Taking selfies is a favorite for the refugees. They document their journey and are happy to walk towards a better life. These pictures will be the memories of their exile. As a photographer, I've been invited in more than a few selfies! Gevgelija, Macedonia (FYROM).
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On top of her father's shoulder, a little girl watches as things get rough at the gates of the camp. Gevgelija, Macedonia (FYROM).
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Inside the camp, a family takes some time to rest. The kids sometimes seem tireless but the adults face a lot of responsibilities and worries. Gevgelija, Macedonia (FYROM)
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Night falls and so does the rain. Conditions inside the camp can get really difficult depending on the weather. Gevgelija, Macedonia (FYROM).
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This train going from the south of Macedonia up to the northern border usually costs less than 10 euros and you get a place to sit, of course. Refugees are forced to pay 30 euros and are packed like animals, standing up for the whole duration of the trip. The refugee business can be a really profitable one for criminal gangs and even governments. Gevgelija, Macedonia (FYROM).
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Happy to be on his way, this young man gets off the train in the North of Macedonia, FYROM. Tabanovce, Macedonia (FYROM).
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Family walking behind him and material objects weighing on his shoulder, this man walks on the rails towards the Serbian border like so many others with everything he has, onward to a new and hopefully better life. Serbia-Macedonia (FYROM) border.
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