Mohamed (12) testifies about flight from Syria to Europe 5 years ago: “Scariest was the boat, I often fell into the water”

The Safi family lives in Aleppo when war breaks out in Syria. They flee to Turkey with their two children, Mohamed and Hala, as do 3.6 million other Syrians.

Living conditions in Istanbul are difficult, the father barely finds work. When an uncle comes along in 2015 who wants to travel to Europe, the parents decide to give their oldest son. The parents do not have enough money to travel to Europe with the whole family.

Mohamed is 7 years old when he and his uncle cross the Aegean Sea in a dinghy to Greece. They travel on to Belgium where they apply for asylum. Because Mohamed is so young and is staying here without his parents, a foster family is being sought for him. Two years after his departure, he is reunited with his family.

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