Chechen refugee camp in Fenerbahçe, Istanbul

8th Nov 2009. Fenerbahçe, Istanbul, Turkey. A refugee camp for people who fled the conflict with Russia in Chechnya. The people are denied Turkish state benefits and also the right to work, leaving them in abject poverty.

The camp is by the sea, where cold winters and damp has affected the refugees' health, many of the children suffer asthma and other breathing ailments.

Although born in Turkey, the children are effectively state-less and fall between the cracks of international law. There is little or no provision for education or healthcare. 

Comments

[Gio]

You rock man! Big congrats!
Gio

[dave long]

Fantastic photo and great background info. Unfortunately it's not just Turkey where people are treated this way. Those are the exact same conditions that refugees living in Austria have been subjected to for years (up to an including right now). And that's RIGHT in the middle of Europe. The only difference perhaps would be in regard to health care and education. Otherwise your text could have just as easily read:

Krems Austria. A refugee camp for people who fled the conflict with Russia in Chechnya. The people are denied Austrian state benefits and also the right to work, leaving them in abject poverty.

The camp is in an Alpine valley, where cold winters and damp has affected the refugees' health, many of the children suffer asthma and other breathing ailments.

Although born in Austria, the children are effectively state-less and fall between the cracks of international law. There is little or no provision for education or healthcare.

I see this everyday and just felt the need to share that people are suffering abject poverty caused by the state even in Europe.

Thanks for sharing your shots. Sounds like the lypse was an incredible experience for all involved!

[Julius]

Unfortunately, this negativity affects both children and adults. This anti-asylum agenda by some papers and political parties does not take into account that children are physically and psychologically less able than adults to provide for their own needs or to protect themselves from harm. They must rely on the care and protection of adults, sometimes in a different country.

[gerovital h3]

Well there is a safe place for poor children

[Jan Robert]

My heart goes to these children. Children need and should be prioritized in terms of health care and safety of these children. The government should have made their a move in taking care of these children. Provide for them especiallyt health care.