Human Side Of Refugee Crisis In Moving Photos

Matthieu Paley, a photographer based in Istanbul, boarded a ferry on Chios Island in Turkey last month, to take his family on a holiday to the Greek Islands.

He was surprised to find many passengers fast asleep, and it didn’t take him long to discover that they were refugees—most Afghans, Iraqis and Syrians, journeying from Lesbos Island to Athens.

Many had made dangerous, illegal night-crossings from Turkey into Greece and stayed in camps on Lesbos Island, before paying their fares and boarding the enormous ferry to Athens.

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Photo by @paleyphoto (Matthieu Paley). Part 2 of 8. As we entered this ferryboat bringing passengers to Athens, I wondered why so many people were asleep. They were in fact refugees, using an opportunity to catch sleep in relative comfort during their arduous journey West, to Europe. They each paid their fare just like any passenger. #refugees #refugeecrisis @thephotosociety @natgeocreative

A photo posted by Matthieu Paley (@paleyphoto) on Sep 19, 2015 at 5:11am PDT

Photo by @paleyphoto (Matthieu Paley). Part 1 of 8. For the next 8 days, I will post 1 picture/day to tell you a little story that recently happened to my family and I. Last month, from our home on the Aegean Sea in Turkey, we went for a trip to Greece. Here, my 2 sons marvel at the ferryboat arriving to pick us up in Chios Island. Little did we know, the people you can see on the top deck were all refugees making their way from Lesbos Island to Athens. This little story is about that ferryboat ride. #refugees #refugeecrisis @thephotosociety @natgeocreative A photo posted by Matthieu Paley (@paleyphoto) on Sep 18, 2015 at 8:47am PDT

During the ferry ride Matthieu talked to the refugees and photographed them in heart-warming, everyday human scenarios: sleeping, hugging, charging phones, making calls.

He posted a series of the images on Instagram with moving captions.

“The strength of a family can help overcome big challenges,” one photo says. “A father and daughter embrace – refugees on a ferryboat from Lesbos island to Athens. In the background, a newly wed couple and their 1-month old baby, born on the road while crossing Turkey.”

Photo by @paleyphoto (Matthieu Paley). Part 6 of 8. During their journey west to Europe, charging mobile phones is a priority for many refugees. The phone is their lifeline: “We can keep in touch, let our family and friends know we are safe. Sometimes we call, sometimes we put pictures up on social media… It gives them hope!” an Afghan refugee explains. Image shot on a ferryboat from Lesbos Island to Athens. #refugees #refugeecrisis @thephotosociety @natgeocreative

A photo posted by Matthieu Paley (@paleyphoto) on Sep 23, 2015 at 1:25am PDT

Another image highlights the need for refugees to keep in touch with family.   “During their journey west to Europe, charging mobile phones is a priority for many refugees,” he writes. “The phone is their lifeline: “We can keep in touch, let our family and friends know we are safe. Sometimes we call, sometimes we put pictures up on social media… It gives them hope!” an Afghan refugee explains.”

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Photo by @paleyphoto (Matthieu Paley). Part 3 of 8. The refugees on this ferryboat going from Lesbos Island to Athens were mainly Afghans, Iraqis and Syrians. These two sisters were fast asleep, on a dining table. They were exhausted from the prior days spent in makeshift camps on Lesbos Island after a dangerous night-crossing from Turkey to Greece. #refugees #refugeecrisis @thephotosociety @natgeocreative A photo posted by Matthieu Paley (@paleyphoto) on Sep 20, 2015 at 1:38am PDT

A picture of two girls is captioned: “These two sisters were fast asleep, on a dining table. They were exhausted from the prior days spent in makeshift camps on Lesbos Island after a dangerous night-crossing from Turkey to Greece.”

One photo depicts a refugee’s hand against the glass of the ferry window, against the wide blue ocean outside. “Many of the refugees fear the ocean, having never had the chance to learn how to swim,” says the caption.

Photo by @paleyphoto (Matthieu Paley). Part 4 of 8. Escaping war or simply looking for a better and safer future? Refugees finally get a chance to charge their phones and catch up with loved ones, on a ferryboat from Lesbos Island to Athens. To see this whole series, go to @paleyphoto. #refugees #refugeecrisis @thephotosociety @natgeocreative

A photo posted by Matthieu Paley (@paleyphoto) on Sep 21, 2015 at 9:49am PDT

On his Facebook page, a German commented that many refugees are using Google Maps and WhatsApp on their smartphones to find each other once they have arrived in Europe.