We have been reporting about the latest events unfolding in Turkey. However, we should not forget that behind every number, behind every update we give, there are individuals with their own stories of suffering.
One of these stories is that of Samar’s*, a 30-year-old Syrian widow. Her husband died in Syria, leaving her alone with her five daughters, the eldest six years old, the youngest only one. Samar has been struggling to survive in Turkey, as she is all on her own. Her two brothers are in Germany. She has been forced to live in a tiny flat on top of a restaurant in the small town of Kocaeli, which she cleans in the night in exchange for her accommodation. The family has been living on leftovers from the restaurant, which she was allowed to take home after work. Her daughter Leen* should have started school already, but Samar could not afford it.
When she heard the news about Turkey opening the borders to Europe back in February, she left everything behind, hoping to finally reach her brothers in Berlin. The family somehow managed to survive amongst the chaos at the border crossing Pazarkule, sleeping outside, without any money to buy extra food or medication. They crossed the Evros river on a boat provided by the Turkish police and walked two hours across the forest at night before Greek soldiers caught them and forced them to return to to Turkey.
Finally, they were taken to the quarantine camp in Osmaniye. They were subsequently released after a quarantine period of two weeks and taken to the deportation prison in Izmir. On Monday the 13th of March, they were abandoned in the streets of Izmir. Samar describes how horrendous she felt, once again on her own with so many small children, no money, documents or information provided on what to do next. Her children were too tired to even cry. After spending the night at the bus station, they were finally able to board a bus organised by ASAM (the local partner of UNHCR) as a result of our pressure, with the hope of returning to Kocaeli.
Instead, they were forced to disembark a few minutes later, alongside 6 others, as they were told the bus would have to be divided into several mini buses for logistical reasons. Initially, they were told another bus would be arriving soon to pick them up. In the midst of all of this, police came by, telling them that if they did not leave the area within the next 2 hours, they would be returned once again to the deportation camp. Frightened by the police and their heavy weapons, they returned to the bus station. Finally, at 10pm ASAM organized a hotel room for them in which they were able to spend the night. Two of her daughters have fever now.
They will now be forced to stay in the same location for an indeterminate period of time - there are no buses Samar can use to return to Kocaeli. Anyhow she lost everything there so she and her family have nowhere to return to.
Samar has repeatedly asked me how this could happen. She was convinced that Germany would finally help her, and allow her to reunite with her brothers - that a country with human rights could not possibly leave 5 small children without support. She dreams about sending her children to school. She is an incredibly strong woman, fighting for the future of her children. And yet, she too has reached her limit and is desperate to share her story - and force Germany and Europe to finally act.
*Name changed
We have been reporting about the latest events unfolding in Turkey. However, we should not forget that behind every number, behind every update we give, there are individuals with their own stories of suffering.
One of these stories is that of Samar’s*, a 30-year-old Syrian widow. Her husband died in Syria, leaving her alone with her five daughters, the eldest six years old, the youngest only one. Samar has been struggling to survive in Turkey, as she is all on her own. Her two brothers are in Germany. She has been forced to live in a tiny flat on top of a restaurant in the small town of Kocaeli, which she cleans in the night in exchange for her accommodation. The family has been living on leftovers from the restaurant, which she was allowed to take home after work. Her daughter Leen* should have started school already, but Samar could not afford it.
When she heard the news about Turkey opening the borders to Europe back in February, she left everything behind, hoping to finally reach her brothers in Berlin. The family somehow managed to survive amongst the chaos at the border crossing Pazarkule, sleeping outside, without any money to buy extra food or medication. They crossed the Evros river on a boat provided by the Turkish police and walked two hours across the forest at night before Greek soldiers caught them and forced them to return to to Turkey.
Finally, they were taken to the quarantine camp in Osmaniye. They were subsequently released after a quarantine period of two weeks and taken to the deportation prison in Izmir. On Monday the 13th of March, they were abandoned in the streets of Izmir. Samar describes how horrendous she felt, once again on her own with so many small children, no money, documents or information provided on what to do next. Her children were too tired to even cry. After spending the night at the bus station, they were finally able to board a bus organised by ASAM (the local partner of UNHCR) as a result of our pressure, with the hope of returning to Kocaeli.
Instead, they were forced to disembark a few minutes later, alongside 6 others, as they were told the bus would have to be divided into several mini buses for logistical reasons. Initially, they were told another bus would be arriving soon to pick them up. In the midst of all of this, police came by, telling them that if they did not leave the area within the next 2 hours, they would be returned once again to the deportation camp. Frightened by the police and their heavy weapons, they returned to the bus station. Finally, at 10pm ASAM organized a hotel room for them in which they were able to spend the night. Two of her daughters have fever now.
They will now be forced to stay in the same location for an indeterminate period of time - there are no buses Samar can use to return to Kocaeli. Anyhow she lost everything there so she and her family have nowhere to return to.
Samar has repeatedly asked me how this could happen. She was convinced that Germany would finally help her, and allow her to reunite with her brothers - that a country with human rights could not possibly leave 5 small children without support. She dreams about sending her children to school. She is an incredibly strong woman, fighting for the future of her children. And yet, she too has reached her limit and is desperate to share her story - and force Germany and Europe to finally act.
*Name changed
