The One Thing

The one item Syrian refugees made sure to grab before leaving home.

BY BRIAN SOKOL | MARCH 12, 2013

Tamara, 20, is pictured in Adiyaman refugee camp in Turkey. After Tamara's home in Idlib was partially destroyed in September, the family decided their best chance of safety was to reach the Syrian-Turkish border. "When we left our house, we felt the sky was raining bullets," Tamara recalled. "We were moving from one shelter to another in order to protect ourselves." The most important thing she was able to bring with her is her diploma, which she holds. With it, she will be able to continue her education in Turkey.

UNHCR/B. Sokol

 

Brian Sokol is a U.S.-born freelance photographer focused on documenting human rights issues and humanitarian crises in developing and post-conflict societies. Previously based in South Asia and South Sudan, he is now in New York but continues to cover social issues in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East for a broad range of editorial, NGO, and humanitarian clients. He is currently working on a recurring series, "The Most Important Thing," on what refugees around the world have made sure to carry with them from their homes, with support from UNHCR.