Syrian refugees at the European border
Harmanli chooses the less well-off, it is the most economical destination and it is the only one that can be allowed by Syrians who do not have good financial resources to invest in the flight to a new life. Harmanli is the entry into Europe through the Bulgarian border. The reception center is in fact close to the Turkish-Bulgarian-Greek border. Refugees to get there must first enter from Syria into Turkey (direct testimony of refugees) "Entering Turkey is very simple, there are no barriers or soldiers, for those who need help there are smugglers who for a figure that is around around 10 euros per person they take you by bus to the Turkish cities. But entering Turkey is not like entering Europe, there is not the same life expectancy, although many decide to stop there, or go to Lebanon, Kurdistan or Jordan. So you try crossing through Europe, always turning to smugglers, it's easy to find them either in the city of Aksarya or in Istanbul or Edrne, they help you cross the Turkish-Bulgarian border. On foot you can even spend three days hiding for a while in the woods adjacent to the border, and it costs you between 1000 and 1500 euros per person, by train or bus instead from 2000 to 2500 euros per person. Those who choose the road to Italy or Greece are also willing to spend 6000 euros. " It is news of 07 April 2015 that Bulgaria has decided to extend the barbed wire fence along the border to contain the flow of immigrants.
At Harmanli there are about 3,000 refugees, 450 of whom are children, and every week new ones arrive, the reception center is divided into three different types of sector. 1Single, for men who do not have a family with them. 2 families, for entire families, 3 families without fathers.
The reception center is an old disused military barracks and the state of degradation is indescribable, there is humidity and water infiltration everywhere, "one only warms up with blankets", the sanitation is reduced to a minimum, ( it is thought that in the first structure -single- for about 600 people there is only one bathroom), women are not guaranteed the minimum support, not even that concerning intimate hygiene, and the minimum contribution that - said of the refugees - was expected, not given for about 2 months. Considering that Bulgaria does not live in favorable economic conditions, it is not difficult to imagine that many Bulgarians do not accept this invasion and often beatings against immigrants are unleashed.
Here we remain until we receive the 5-year refugee status or the three-year humanitarian status, to continue the trip to Europe. Most of them want to go to Germany, but there are also those who choose France or other northern European destinations. It also takes 7 or 8 months to get the documents, "but they often blackmail us, which delay documents, for example when we try to tell journalists about the conditions we live in, which is why we are afraid to talk to you ». Harmanli has all kinds of human experiences, mothers who have to look after their children, because their husbands are at war or in other destinations to give their families a different future, or they are no longer there. Teenagers who must replace their fathers in protecting the family, but who must also face racial discrimination and hardships of all kinds. Elderly men left alone to try to redeem themselves. Healthy children trying to adapt and sick children who, despite the difficulties, smile at you. Then there is who in Harmanli was born and from Harmanli he can't wait to escape.
Syrian children's playground
Young Syrians welcome us with the symbol of victory in their fingers, in some cities like Kobane the Kurdish resistance to expel the IS invaders
The reception center
Time seems to never pass and at least seven or eight months to obtain the necessary documents are indispensable. Unforeseen circumstances.
Single men sector In this area of ​​the reception center live the men without the family, some because the family no longer has it, some instead because the family has entrusted it to more comforting and at the same time expensive destinations, such as Italy or Greece , sacrificing one's own. Those who left the family to wait on their own. Here we help each other and who has more, from more.
The only bathroom In the singles sector where there are about 600 refugees, this is the only existing bathroom.
Household sector Of all the sectors, this is the most fortunate here families live there even if now all the families together make a single family
A difficult escape to tell Zaradin, mother of 4 children: Nurhan, Hushnav, Kristina and Roush. She finds it difficult to tell how it went, she only says that she walked over the bodies and saw ugly ugliness
"A few days ago I was a teacher" Silvana Hasam, art history teacher, has also been here for many months and the question, what do you need? He answers everything, "we have nothing here"
Idris, an engineer in the agricultural sector, was preparing a doctorate at the University of Aleppo when it was completely destroyed by the war. He was forced to move to the Afrin Town suburb to continue his work in the farm animals sector. He says he gave his all to be able to help even without monetizing those most in need, trying to do his best for them. But on a cold day in early February, when he had gone to collect some benz
Rano and his grandson Rano, wife of Idris and student of philosophy, she lived in Alashrafia a district of the city of Aleppo, considered by them terrifying, they say that it is impossible to speak or describe how people die, it seems that also because of the continuous state of anxiety due to the fear of dying, Rano cannot have more children. And Meanwhile, he enjoys his niece.
For Dildar it's really hard Golì and Dildar, 9 and 13 years old. Dildar and suffering from a disease that does not allow him to walk or stand on his own feet and and for the whole family the situation has become unbearable, Dildar lacks everything to be able to go on, despite his smile does not make him imagine.
Mothers sector with children only
Young mothers without husbands do not give up and provide everything by themselves
We manage how we can Lunch is not allowed, meals are not delivered and young Syrian women do their best to arrange something.
Worms in meals, in the photo taken with the mobile phone the refugees show in what conditions they are forced to live, they talk about spoiled food and show the worms found in the dish.
Everyone does their part. At breakfast and dinner, these are the two moments in which "meals" are delivered, which for many are not worthy of the name. The voids are delivered and the full are taken and the children do their part.
Barafin They are teenagers and it is they who replace the role of fathers who are not here. They care for younger brothers and sisters and help mothers in what they can. Barfin (the little girl) was born here, she is 8 months old and Syria has never seen her. Her smile is contagious and helps the morale of those around her.