Out of desperation, they fled. Not long ago, they had a house, job and a future. Now, all of that is uncertain. They escaped from war to save their lives. Some left with whatever they could carry.
Thousands of them have fled from Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan and Africa. Yet thousands are trapped between the border of Greece and Macedonia. Entire families wait for the opportunity to get on one of these trains for the chance of a brighter future.
AHMED
Syrian Refugee
'My ambition is for my son and wife to be in a good place, and for me to have work. I am not asking for help in Europe. I am qualified to work, as soon as I get the permission to work, I will.â?
These trains make are heading to Europe. These refugees hope it simply leads to a better future. Some of these families walked for weeks to make it this far. Most are parents from Iraq and Syria who simply want to escape the threats of radical islam and its terrorists.
ABDUL
Syrian Refugee
'Life was very difficult, we got very tired. In addition to tough living conditions, there was constant bombardment. My children could no longer stand daily, random bombings. They have not been able to go to school either.â?
With this train, they are looking to pass by Macedonia and then to Austria, Germany or France...European countries where they hope they can start over. Every day roughly 2,000 refugees arrive here.
ALEXANDRA KRAUSE
ACNUR
'We have already taken a lot of steps to do that and it's improving everyday but the problem is that the numbers are increasing everyday. So each day we need to catch up to a new situation.â?
But it's not just a matter of arriving-the foreigners must prove that they are indeed refugees for them to get the green light. It's the last step, before they embark on a four hour train ride, in what they hope, will be a safe new chapter in their lives, away from war and persecution.
AC/KLH
UNIFEED
SV
-PR
Up:KLH
