the distance between us
Millions of Syrians have fled war in their home country, most of them to neighboring Jordan, Turkey, and Iraq. Starting in 2015, Germany opened it's borders and by mid-2016, over half a million Syrians applied for refuge. Many of those Syrians came as a family, but many young men came alone, fearing the journey would be too difficult for their wives and children. Men like Hussein arrived in Germany for a long wait: nearly a year after his arrival, his case still hadn't been processed, and his wife remains in Istanbul.
Hussein, Berlin, Germany, September 2016
Husseins wife is in Istanbul, waiting until she and Hussein can be reunified.
Berlin is overflowing with refugees, and many of them live in designated compounds throughout the city.
Hussein, Berlin, Germany, September 2016
Hussein lives in a simply furnished room on the floor of a building for other single men - all of whom arrived without their families.
Hussein, Berlin, Germany, September 2016
When families are reunified, it is often after a long wait. Hussein has waited over a year - most couples wait nearly two years to see each other again.