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Syria's refugees: 'It's when you see them out there in the dark, the situation becomes a reality' Syria's refugees: 'It's when you see them out there in the dark, the situation becomes a reality'
(6 days later)
The Syrian refugee assignment has been running since GuardianWitness was launched, just over six months ago. We have received many moving pictures, videos and stories about the lives of refugees and their families in the camps and host countries, they're now living in. Recently we have received contributions about Syrians trying to find a new life – and a place of safety – in Europe. Sometimes as part of an organised programme, like this group on their way to Germany.The Syrian refugee assignment has been running since GuardianWitness was launched, just over six months ago. We have received many moving pictures, videos and stories about the lives of refugees and their families in the camps and host countries, they're now living in. Recently we have received contributions about Syrians trying to find a new life – and a place of safety – in Europe. Sometimes as part of an organised programme, like this group on their way to Germany.
Yesterday, 107 Syrian refugees boarded the plane to Germany from Lebanon as part of a very first initiative to temporarily welcome around 4,000 Syrian refugees until they are able to go back home. Most of them were overwhelmed with sorrow to be parting with this part of the world and with Syria, many told me they had never imagined this would every happen to them. But so many were relieved to be given this opportunity. Faida told me it was the third time she had packed her bags, but "inchalla (with god's will), this time it's for the best".Yesterday, 107 Syrian refugees boarded the plane to Germany from Lebanon as part of a very first initiative to temporarily welcome around 4,000 Syrian refugees until they are able to go back home. Most of them were overwhelmed with sorrow to be parting with this part of the world and with Syria, many told me they had never imagined this would every happen to them. But so many were relieved to be given this opportunity. Faida told me it was the third time she had packed her bags, but "inchalla (with god's will), this time it's for the best".
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By DanaSleimanBy DanaSleiman
Ruha, 3 years old, is about to leave Lebanon to Germany. She is one of 107 Syrian refugees departing to Germany under temporary relocation program. In Germany, her father can work and she can go to school. Most importantly, she will finally have a safe place where she can call home.Ruha, 3 years old, is about to leave Lebanon to Germany. She is one of 107 Syrian refugees departing to Germany under temporary relocation program. In Germany, her father can work and she can go to school. Most importantly, she will finally have a safe place where she can call home.
UNHCR/ Eujin BYUNUNHCR/ Eujin BYUN
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By Eujin ByunBy Eujin Byun
More often than not, Syrian refugees are undertaking more perilous journeys to reach Europe, as Shawn Baldwin, from the UNHCR, describes. More often than not, Syrian refugees are undertaking more perilous journeys to reach Europe.
Syrian refugee Mahmoud Farid, 9-years-old, looks out of the window of his home in the Beit Al Alia neighborhood in the 6th of October City outside of Cairo, Egypt, Friday, September 27, 2013.
Mahmoud was recently detained by Egyptian authorities for 5 days after his father put him on a boat headed towards Italy with other Syrian refugees and Egyptian coast guard officers allegedly opened fire killing two people.
The rest of the refugees, who were caught just off the Egyptian coast, are now languishing in a detention center in Alexandria.
According to his father, Mahmoud and his family face discrimination in Egypt and they live in a constant state of fear. Because they are without passports they are in a legal limbo. Mahmoud's father decided to send his son because he loves learning and he hoped that he might be able to go to school.
Mahmoud was recently attacked by a group of Egyptian children in the neighborhood.
The family originally from Aleppo have been living in Cairo for about a year. / UNHCR/S. Baldwin
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By shawnbaldwin
The tragic consequences of such journeys are documented all too often; 296 migrants, including many Syrians, died in the recent Lampedusa shipwreck, on route to Italy. However one reader, Nathan Birch, witnessed a successful rescue, as the cruise ship he was on took a 50-mile detour to help some refugees. He shares his story via GuardianWitness.The tragic consequences of such journeys are documented all too often; 296 migrants, including many Syrians, died in the recent Lampedusa shipwreck, on route to Italy. However one reader, Nathan Birch, witnessed a successful rescue, as the cruise ship he was on took a 50-mile detour to help some refugees. He shares his story via GuardianWitness.
 We were on a cruise from Southampton to Venice and back. The refugees had been picked up from a sinking boat by the Italian Coastguard. One of the women went into labour and the coastguard sent out a message asking for medical assistance. This took place on the night of 14/15 September. We were on a cruise from Southampton to Venice and back. The refugees had been picked up from a sinking boat by the Italian Coastguard. One of the women went into labour and the coastguard sent out a message asking for medical assistance. This took place on the night of 14/15 September.
There were about 150 refugees, mainly women and children – we saw a lot of very small children, some aged about 5 or 6. It's when you see them out there in the dark that the situation becomes a reality.There were about 150 refugees, mainly women and children – we saw a lot of very small children, some aged about 5 or 6. It's when you see them out there in the dark that the situation becomes a reality.
The Crown Princess took the pregnant women onboard and set sail towards Sicily, where she was airlifted off the ship. We were told she gave birth to healthy baby the next day. We think all of this took place somewhere south east of Sicily.The Crown Princess took the pregnant women onboard and set sail towards Sicily, where she was airlifted off the ship. We were told she gave birth to healthy baby the next day. We think all of this took place somewhere south east of Sicily.
Pregnant refugee being taken onto Crown Princess 15th September, after rescue by Italian Coastguard. Later airlifted to hospital.Pregnant refugee being taken onto Crown Princess 15th September, after rescue by Italian Coastguard. Later airlifted to hospital.
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By nathanunisonBy nathanunison
As well as medical assistance the Crown Princess gave blankets, mattresses food and drink to the refugees. They were all huddled on the open deck.As well as medical assistance the Crown Princess gave blankets, mattresses food and drink to the refugees. They were all huddled on the open deck.
Syrians saved by Italian coastguard as see from Crown Princess cruise ship at midnight.Syrians saved by Italian coastguard as see from Crown Princess cruise ship at midnight.
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By nathanunisonBy nathanunison
Video as the Di Bartolo left for Italy following assistance from Crown Princess. Husband and children of medically evacuated women remained onboard.Video as the Di Bartolo left for Italy following assistance from Crown Princess. Husband and children of medically evacuated women remained onboard.
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By nathanunisonBy nathanunison
Nathan Birch concludes, Nathan Birch concludes, 
Who knows what the outcome for them might have been, in less good weather.Who knows what the outcome for them might have been, in less good weather.
Moving pictures, videos and stories about Syrian refugees are submitted every day. You can see more of them on the GuardianWitness site.Moving pictures, videos and stories about Syrian refugees are submitted every day. You can see more of them on the GuardianWitness site.
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