Syrian refugees in Cairo
REPORTER
Virginie Nguyen
Belgian photographer Virginie Nguyen lives in Cairo. Nguyen is co-founder of the HUMA collective, that emphasizes social issues and puts forward a humanist photography.
The Belgian photographer Virginie Nguyen takes the fate of Syrian refugees to heart. “Refugees are confronted with discrimination, violence and they are scared. At first they were welcome in Cairo but since the protests on June 30, 2012, this has completely changed.” With the support of World Press Photo, Nguyen made a documentary about a Syrian family that fled to Cairo.
The family, consisting of father, mother and four children, now wants to flee to Europe. After many failed attempts to apply for a visa for various European countries, they have decided to take a boat from Alexandria to Italy.
Nguyen: “Unfortunately, this is still the plan. Father works in a Syrian restaurant and wants to leave with the family as soon as he has saved enough money. He is aware of how dangerous this is, but he is stubborn. He will do anything to offer his children a better future, without discrimination and with the opportunity to study. In Egypt, this is not possible.”
Before June 30, Syrian refugees were welcome and the children could just go to school. “But since the protests on that day, there is violence on the streets, they are refused jobs and they do not receive visas anymore. Although they do not live in a tent and they have a small house, life has still become more difficult for them. The mother of the family does not dare to go outside as she is scared of the police. They might ask for her passport and they could be sent away.” Luckily, there are still organizations, such as UNHCR, that help refugees but an independent life here as a Syrian refugee is not possible.
Nguyen hopes that the subject comes to the attention of many people through her documentary. “I want people to hear and see how difficult, especially psychologically, this is for the families. It is a dream, but the best thing would be if these families were to get visas for a European country where they can build up an independent existence.”
Watch the documentary here. For subtitles: click on cc on the bottom right-hand of the video screen and click on “English”.
By: Merel Hendriks / www.oneworld.nl
