As the civil war in Syria gets worse, day by day, the number of refugees constantly increases. Greece is the entrance point for Syrian refugees who try to reach Europe. Nowadays 80 percent of the refugees coming to Greece are from Syria.
Unfortunately, many of them never complete their trip. They drown in the Mediterranean sea.In September 2014, a small boat with 49 Syrian refugees crossed the sea borders between Turkey and Greece. It was around 5 a.m. when the Greek Coast Guard identified a small boat floating towards Chios, a small island in the Aegean. It was easy to understand that the man in charge of the boat had no experience. At some point he took a dangerous twist trying to direct the boat towards an uninhabited island, Inousa, where only a Greek military outpost is based. The passengers were very scared and they refused the help of the Greek Coast Guard. They didn't know exactly where they were. When the boat approached the Coast Guard ship, the refugees screamed. One of them held up a 4-month-old baby, asking the officers to not hurt their boat. Despite the attempts of the Greek Coast Guard officers, the small boat reached the uninhibited island. Its passengers disappeared into the morning fog.I went after them, following the Greek officers. After long negotiations, the refugees understood that this deserted place had no food or water to offer them. I followed them back to the Coast Guard ship and documented their first days in Chios.
It was around 5 a.m. when the Greek Coast Guard identified a small boat floating towards Chios, a small island in the Aegean. There were 49 immigrants on board. © Enri Canaj
The passengers were very scared and they refused help from the Greek Coast Guard. They didn't know exactly where they were. In every moment that the boat came near the Coast Guard ship, the people were screaming and freaking out. © Enri Canaj
The Syrian refugees landed on an uninhabited island in Greece, Inousa, which has no food or water. © Enri Canaj
A Syrian mother holds her 4-month-old baby just after crossing the sea border between Turkey and Greece by boat — arriving at Inousa, Greece. © Enri Canaj
Immigrants on Inousa, identified through a thermal camera from the Greek Coast Guard ship. © Enri Canaj
The immigrants walking through Inousa, an uninhabited Greek island where only military forces operate. © Enri Canaj
The Greek officers explained to the immigrants that they were in Greece and that the island was uninhabited, that there was no food and water. © Enri Canaj
Syrian refugees get in line and wait to be counted by the Greek authorities before they move toward Chios, a formal immigration island. © Enri Canaj
Syrian immigrants on board the Greek Coast Guard boat. After leaving Inousa, the next destination is Chios. © Enri Canaj
Immigrant children who have just landed at the sea port of Chios. They are still wearing their safety life jackets. © Enri Canaj
Syrian refugee mother with her children. They will be transported inside the refugee camp. Chios, Greece. © Enri Canaj
Migrant registration center. The immigrants have to stay here until they get their refugee status. Chios, Greece. © Enri Canaj
Migrant registration center. The immigrants have to stay here till they get their refugee status. Chios, Greece. © Enri Canaj
Migrant registration center. The immigrants have to stay here until they get their refugee status. Chios, Greece. © Enri Canaj
Syrian refugees inside the refugee camp. Chios, Greece. © Enri Canaj
Refugees waiting to have their meal. Refugee camp. Chios, Greece. © Enri Canaj
"I have to feed my children. I want only a job to take care of my family," said 44-year old Omar from Eritrea, after the afternoon prayer at the Port Authority. © Enri Canaj
A family from Syria. The father was very anxious and scared for the future of his family. His wife felt more relief after that long and difficult trip. Chios, Greece. © Enri Canaj