Houthaifa's belongings. He intends to keep everything light, taking with him only a bottle of water, his military papers and ID and a jacket.
Passport, lifejacket, lemons: What Syrian refugees pack for the crossing to Europe.
Four Syrians explain why they have no option but to take to the sea – and reveal the few things they’ll have with them.
Photo Essay for The Guardian: http://www.theguardian.com/world/ng-interactive/2015/sep/04/syrian-refugees-pack-for-the-crossing-to-europe-crisis
Houthaifa,21, poses for a portrait in a friend's home in Cairo, Egypt. Houthaifa plans to leave Egypt through the Mediterranean Sea. Houthaifa says he endured torture in Syria's jails and harrassment in Egypt and that he is determined.
Houthaifa looks out on a friend's balcony in Cairo,
Houthaifa looks out on a friend's balcony in Cairo,
Houthaifa's family member sits in the bare living room of a relative's apartment in Cairo's 6th October district.
Tea and coffee cups on a tray on the ground of Houthaifa's relative's house in Cairo's 6October district.
Nizar plans on taking with him when he crosses the Mediterranean sea.
Nizar sits in his Cairo apartment July 3, 2015. Nizar plans to make the journey across the sea to Europe in hopes of providing his children with better education opportunities.
Nizar's family sits in the family room after breaking their Ramadan fast.
The family prepares the Ramadan meal to break their fast in their Cairo apartment.
Nizar's four children in their Cairo apartment.
Nizar's family breaks their fast during Ramadan in Cairo, Egypt.
Nizar, his wife, mother, four children and nephew sit for a family portrait in their Cairo living room.
Nizar's mother pours tea in the family's Cairo living room.
Abu Jana's intended belongings on his trip. He plans to take with him medicines including antibiotics, lemons for sea-sickness, a change of clothes, dates and a life jacket.
Abu Jana, 35, an ex-officer, in his living room in Cairo. He intends to travel by boat to Europe as he says after two attempts at his life in Cairo, it has become unsafe.
Abu Jana, 35, an ex-officer, in his living room in Cairo. He intends to travel by boat to Europe as he says after two attempts at his life in Cairo, it has become unsafe.
Abu Jana, 35, an ex-officer, in his living room in Cairo. He intends to travel by boat to Europe as he says after two attempts at his life in Cairo, it has become unsafe.
Abu Jana, 35, an ex-officer, in his living room in Cairo. He intends to travel by boat to Europe as he says after two attempts at his life in Cairo, it has become unsafe.
Ahmed's belongings he plans to take with him, bread, cigarettes, medecine, canned meat and cheese, dates, water and his ID papers.
Ahmed, not his real name, stands in the living room of a relative in Alexandria. He plans to leave by boat as soon as he can.
Ahmed speaks to his uncle in the living room of their apartment in Alexandria.
Ahmed in his uncle's apartment in Alexandria.
Ahmed sits with family in his uncle's apartment in Alexandria.
