516

516

GPD CoO890
Continent of OriginM
GDP DC18 117
Destination ContinentE
Distancefar
GDP ChangeH
Home Changeim
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Do you know where Id really like to be relocated? To Cyprus! Khaled said, eyes sparkling. The climate is nice, the place is beautiful, but do you know what the most important thing to me is? That every morning I will take a deep breath and smell the fragrance of my beloved Syria, on the other side of the sea. Khaled, a 32-year-old builder from Hama, Syria, arrived on the island of Chios in March 2016, with his wife Hyam and their children, Suleiman, Amina and Hamzeh. After spending a month in the makeshift camp of Piraeus port, they were sent to the Agios Andreas camp, northeast of Athens. We met the family at Marathon Beach Resort on an unusually busy day: IOM staff were there to distribute winter clothing and shoes. The hotel, in a sleepy coastal town not far from Athens, is the place that about 100 refugees called home for more than a month while construction work was being done at the near-by Agios Andreas camp. Khaled, although hes the last in line to receive the winter gear, doesnt mind: he explains that his family has a lot to be thankful for so far. During their stay at the camp the family encountered some urgent medical issues. We are thankful for all the help we received from IOM staff at the time, although it was a really stressful period. They have been there for us, they assisted us with the hospital, the medication, everything, said Khaled. Hyam recently gave birth to their 4th child, Malak. IOM staff assisted her during her pregnancy, as well. And hows life at the hotel? After living in a tent for so long, its really nice and comfortable, Khaled said as his children played all around the small but cosy room. Soon, the discussion leads us to the family's future plans; they had already started the relocation procedures. My brother-in-law is already in Germany and my sister has applied for the family reunification programme. So, we would like to be all together. If not, then its definitely Cyprus that Id choose! Khaled exclaimed.

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