Nerds Republic

Being a refugee isn’t easy — and it’s an experience most of us can’t even begin to relate to. Even if you can make it safely to your destination, there are so many challenges to face in your new life. Often, the journey to your destination can be fraught with roadblocks, disappointment, and suffering.

With the ongoing wars in Syria and Iraq, countless families attempting to flee to brighter and safer futures get stuck in foreign European countries due to complicated bureaucratic hurdles. Sometimes, governments work out the kinks in a reasonable amount of time. However, it’s common for refugees get stuck in limbo with no end in sight.

Hasan Abdul Ahmad’s family of six has been stuck at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo airport for almost two whole months.

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Both he and his wife are folk musicians, and they decided to flee their war-torn home to start all over again in a safer place.

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When they arrived in Russia, they were told that their passports and their visas were fake.

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Russian authorities accused them of illegally trying to cross the border and denied them asylum.

For 50 days, they’ve been living in an old smoking room, with all of their belongings stacked in piles.

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All they can do is wait for their appeal to be addressed.

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Until then, they’re relying on the kindness of passersby.

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Luckily, there are many sympathetic souls that give them money, food, and toys for the children. The UN also comes by every few days to drop off large jugs of drinking water.

Listening to 13-year-old Rinas speak about his family’s struggle is heartbreaking.

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The Syrian government recently confirmed that their passports and visas are, in fact, real.

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But they are still confined to their airport prison until Russian officials consider the case sometime in the next few weeks.

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(source ABC News)

It’s important to remember that this is just one of thousands of families struggling with their freedom. You can donate to help Syrian children in refugee camps in bordering countries. But you can also help by raising awareness of this extremely pressing and heartbreaking problem.

Is there anything better than watching a dog’s reaction to his or her owner finally coming home after being away serving their country? We don’t think so either. Seeing their complete and utter joy is something we could watch on repeat forever.

Well, this reunion is definitely not the exception…watch as two big babies see their mom for the first time in ages.

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It’s amazing to see a tough soldier brought to tears because of her big, furry girls — what a wonderful relationship.

From an aerial view, Zaatari seems like a regular city. Located about 10 kilometers east of the Jordanian city of Mafraq, it could easily be a slightly strange-looking suburb. But this isn’t your average city. In fact, until five years ago, it didn’t even exist.

This is the Zaatari refugee camp, which opened in July of 2012. Created and managed by the United Nations and the Jordanian government, it’s home to those fleeing violence and civil war in neighboring Syria. Today, it takes up a 3.3-kilometer area, and is the second largest refugee camp in the world.

From above, the refugee camp dwarfs a nearby town.

Google Maps

(It’s the paler rectangular area near the bottom right.)

The camp is laid out like a city. It’s dotted with schools, hospitals, municipal areas, businesses, and residences.

Wikimedia Commons

The difference here is that the homes are tents, and life is nowhere near as comfortable as it would be in an average city.

From a population standpoint, the Zaatari refugee camp is the fourth largest city in Jordan, with some 83,000 permanent residents. An estimated 430,000 have passed through before relocating. For the 83,000 residents who remain, there are 30,000 tents and tin-roofed shelters. These are provided by the U.N.

The U.N. also provides food, water, health services, and education. Almost 20 trillion tons of bread and 4.2 million liters of water are delivered each day, and residents are also given a monthly allowance of 20 Jordanian dinars (about $28.25 USD) for extra food.

Water is collected daily from wells like this.

Getty / Khalil Mazraawi

An estimated 28,000 children live in the camp, and roughly 13 babies are born each day. The camp’s maternity unit has delivered over 3,000 babies to date, and there are many more on the way.

Getty / Khalil Mazraawi

Getty / Khalil Mazraawi

Life isn’t easy here. Despite international organizations providing supplies and aid, the camp, according to one charity, falls short of international standards for such facilities.

Getty / Khalil Mazraawi

Since 2012, there have been protests from residents about the crime and violence that have created challenges inside the camp. There are gangs, drug rings, and prostitution. Violence against women is a major issue. Theft is also common, as resources are scarce. When electricity pylons and lights were installed, for example, many people simply stole power for their own homes.

To combat the lawlessness that often comes with setups like this, camp organizers and authorities are looking to set up a representative system for each of the camp’s 12 districts so that residents can have some control over what happens around them.

This is how camp residents prepare their meals.

Getty / Khalil Mazraawi

People in Zaatari try to make their lives as comfortable as possible. Many people have opened shops selling groceries, clothing, and even mobile phones. There’s also a pizza place, and they deliver. Even on such a small, makeshift scale, these shops are generating about 10 million dinars a month, and 60% of Zaatari residents earn their income inside the camp. As a result, these shops are slated to be legalized formally by Jordan’s Ministry of Trade and Commerce.

Children in Zaatari receive toys provided by an aid organization on Eid al-Fitr, which falls at the end of Ramadan.

Getty / AFP

(via Amusing Planet)

The people living in the Zaatari refugee camp have hard lives, and many have had to leave behind everything they’ve ever known for a chance at safety. The population is leveling out now thanks to the opening of another camp nearby. Some people have moved on, and some have returned to Syria. But for now, Zaatari isn’t going anywhere, and neither are its many residents.