Afghan refugees walk in a valley outside the city of Van, Turkey on October 23, 2021. Since the Taliban took power in Afghanistan, thousands of people have been leaving the country and many of them have tried to get to Turkey via Iran.
Afghan refugees are seen inside a tunnel outside the city of Van, Turkey on October 23, 2021. Refugees use tunnel for temporary shelter on their way to Van or other Turkish cities.
Afghan refugees are seen inside a tunnel outside the city of Van, Turkey on October 23, 2021. Refugees use tunnel for temporary shelter on their way to Van or other Turkish cities.
A general view of a tunnel outside the city of Van, Turkey on October 23, 2021. Refugees use tunnel for temporary shelter on their way to Van or other Turkish cities.
An Afghan refugee is seen with his sack inside a tunnel outside the city of Van, Turkey on October 23, 2021. Refugees use tunnel for temporary shelter on their way to Van or other Turkish cities.
Afghan refugees are seen near a tunnel outiside the city of Van, Turkey on October 23, 2021. Refugees use tunnel for temporary shelter on their way to Van or other Turkish cities.
Afghan refugees are seen near a tunnel outiside the city of Van, Turkey on October 23, 2021. Refugees use tunnel for temporary shelter on their way to Van or other Turkish cities.
A refugee from Afghanistan is seen in a valley outside the city of Van, Turkey on October 23, 2021. Since the Taliban took power in Afghanistan, thousands of people have been leaving the country and many of them have tried to get to Turkey via Iran.
A general view of Somkaya village, Turkey on October 23, 2021. Somkaya is a small Turkish village located near the border with Iran and being a transit route for many refugees trying to cross the border, it’s considered a strategic point for many smugglers looking to make a profit through illegal activities.
Shukrullah, 15 years old (left), Yons, 13 years old (center) and Nematullah, 16 years old (right) from Ghazni province, Afghanistan are seen in a street of Tatvan, Turkey on October 22, 2021. They have paid 1300 dollars each for their journey from Afghanistan to Turkey.
Nematullah, 16 years old from Ghazni province, Afghanistan just out of the hospital shows an injury he got as he walked the road from Van to Tatvan and tried to escape from the Turkish police in Tatvan, Turkey on October 22, 2021. After injuring himself, some people accompanied him to the Bitlis hospital where he underwent surgery and kept under observation for sixteen days.
Erfanullah, 17 years old (left) and Rahmatullah, 18 years old (right) from Kabul, Afghanistan rest near a gas station as they wait for a smuggler to continue their journey to Istanbul in Bitlis, Turkey on October 22, 2021. Erfanullah and Rahmatullah have been in Turkey for a month and a half and have paid a thousand dollars each for their trip.
Rahmatullah, 18 years old (left) and Erfanullah, 17 years old (right) from Kabul, Afghanistan talk to a smuggler on the phone near a gas station as they wait to continue their journey to Istanbul in Bitlis, Turkey on October 22, 2021. Erfanullah and Rahmatullah have been in Turkey for a month and a half and have paid a thousand dollars each for their trip.
A general view of the cemetery for unidentified migrants who have died crossing from Iran to Turkey in Van, Turkey on October 24, 2021. The cemetery has existed since the end of 2009 and hosts more than 500 dead. About 30% are children.
Fazel, 9 years old from Takhar province, Afghanistan is portrayed inside the house where he lives in Van, Turkey on October 25, 2021. Fazel was injured a year and two months ago in Afghanistan. He was in a mosque for a religion class and when the clashes began between the Taliban and the national army all the children started to flee. When Fazel got home, a mortar shell exploded near his home, which was twenty meters away from a Nantional Army base. The mortar strike caused Fazel to lose part of his arm and caused permanent damage to his eyesight.
Fazel, 9 years old (left) from Afghanistan watches his father Abdul (right) cry inside the house where they live in Van, Turkey on October 25, 2021. Abdul arrived in Turkey for about two months paying 7200 dollars for the entire family.
Abdul, 40 years old from Takhar province, Afghanistan is seen with his family inside the house where they live in Van, Turkey on October 25, 2021. Abdul arrived in Turkey for about two months paying 7200 dollars for the entire family.
Fazel, 9 years old (left) from Takhar province, Afghanistan is seen with his brother Mohammad, 2 years old (center) and his sister Monisa, 7 years old i(right) nside the house where they live in Van, Turkey on October 25, 2021.
Abdul, 40 years old from Takhar province, Afghanistan is seen inside the house where he lives with his wife and children in Van, Turkey on October 25, 2021. Abdul arrived in Turkey for about two months paying 7200 dollars for the entire family.
Abdul, 40 years old (left) from Takhar province, Afghanistan is seen with his children Fazel, 9 years old (center) and Mohammad, 2 years old (right) inside the house where they live in Van, Turkey on October 25, 2021. Abdul arrived in Turkey for about two months paying 7200 dollars for the entire family.
Abdul, 40 years old (left) from Takhar province, Afghanistan is seen with his son Fazel, 9 years old (right) inside the house where they live in Van, Turkey on October 25, 2021. Abdul arrived in Turkey for about two months paying 7200 dollars for the entire family.
Abdul, 40 years old from Takhar province, Afghanistan helps his son Fazel, 9 years old with homework inside the house where they live in Van, Turkey on October 25, 2021. Abdul arrived in Turkey for about two months paying 7200 dollars for the entire family.
Abdul, 40 years old from Takhar province, Afghanistan helps his son Fazel, 9 years old with homework inside the house where they live in Van, Turkey on October 25, 2021. Abdul arrived in Turkey for about two months paying 7200 dollars for the entire family.
Abdul, 40 years old from Takhar province, Afghanistan helps his son Fazel, 9 years old with homework inside the house where they live in Van, Turkey on October 25, 2021. Abdul arrived in Turkey for about two months paying 7200 dollars for the entire family.
A portrait of Abdul’s family in Van, Turkey on October 25, 2021. Abdul arrived in Turkey for about two months paying 7200 dollars for the entire family.
Uahed, 18 years old from Afghanistan shows a wound he got while trying to escape from the Turkish police in Van, Turkey on October 24, 2021. Many Afghan refugees are afraid of being sent back if intercepted by the police.
Uahed, 18 years old from Afghanistan shows a wound he got while trying to escape from the Turkish police in Van, Turkey on October 24, 2021. Many Afghan refugees are afraid of being sent back if intercepted by the police.
Afghan refugees are seen in a valley outside the city of Van, Turkey on October 24, 2021. Since the Taliban took power in Afghanistan, thousands of people have been leaving the country and many of them have tried to get to Turkey via Iran.
Afghan refugees are seen in a valley outside the city of Van, Turkey on October 25, 2021. They often sleep outdoors and sometimes use tunnel for temporary shelter on their way to Van or other Turkish cities.
Afghan refugees are seen in a valley outside the city of Van, Turkey on October 25, 2021. They often sleep outdoors and sometimes use tunnel for temporary shelter on their way to Van or other Turkish cities.
Tayiba, 17 years old from Afghanistan is portrayed inside the house where she has lived with her sister for three weeks in Van, Turkey on October 21, 2021. Tayba and Wida paid 250 dollars each to get from Afghanistan to Iran and 9300 Turkish lira to get to Turkey from Iran. When they arrived in Turkey they were forced to stay one day in a house before the smugglers received the money required for organizing their trip.
Tayiba, 17 years old (left) and her sister Wida, 22 years old from Afghanistan are seen inside the house where they have lived for three weeks in Van, Turkey on October 21, 2021. Tayba and Wida paid 250 dollars each to get from Afghanistan to Iran and 9300 Turkish lira to get to Turkey from Iran. When they arrived in Turkey they were forced to stay one day in a house before the smugglers received the money required for organizing their trip.
From left: Wida, 22 years old, Tayiba, 17 years old, Farida, 31 years old and Rashad, 9 years old from Afghanistan are seen inside the house where they have lived since they arrived in Van, Turkey on October 21, 2021.
Wida, 22 years old from Afghanistan is portayed inside the house where she has lived with her sister for three weeks in Van, Turkey on October 21, 2021. Wida and Tayba paid 250 dollars each to get from Afghanistan to Iran and 9300 Turkish lira to get to Turkey from Iran. When they arrived in Turkey they were forced to stay one day in a house before the smugglers received the money required for organizing their trip. During that day, Wida says that she was raped by some of the smugglers.
Tayiba, 17 years old (left) and her sister Wida, 22 years old from Afghanistan are seen inside the house where they have lived for three weeks in Van, Turkey on October 21, 2021. Tayba and Wida paid 250 dollars each to get from Afghanistan to Iran and 9300 Turkish lira to get to Turkey from Iran. When they arrived in Turkey they were forced to stay one day in a house before the smugglers received the money required for organizing their trip.
Farida, 31 years old from Afghanistan (right) and Wida, 22 years old from Afghanistan (left) are seen inside the house where they have lived since they arrived in Van, Turkey on October 21, 2021.
Wida, 22 years old from Afghanistan cooks inside the house where she has lived with her sister for three weeks in Van, Turkey on October 21, 2021. Wida and Tayba paid 250 dollars each to get from Afghanistan to Iran and 9300 Turkish lira to get to Turkey from Iran. When they arrived in Turkey they were forced to stay one day in a house before the smugglers received the money required for organizing their trip. During that day, Wida says that she was raped by some of the smugglers.
Farida, 31 years old from Afghanistan (left) and her three children are seen inside the house where they have lived for about three months in Van, Turkey on October 21, 2021.
Rashad, 9 years old (left), Bahram, 10 years old (center) and Soraya, 7 years old (right) from Afghanistan are seen inside the house where they have lived with their mother for about three months in Van, Turkey on October 21, 2021.
Rasul, 50 years old from Kabul, Afghanistan is portrayed inside the house where he has lived for almost two months in Van, Turkey on October 21, 2021. Rasul paid around 800 dollars for his trip from Afghanistan to Turkey. Before being able to enter Turkey in early September, Rasul says he was intercepted and sent back to Iran twice by the Turkish police.
Mustafa, 25 years old, Alifa, 30 years old and their daughter Atina, 1 years old from Afghanistan are portrayed inside the house where they live in Van, Turkey on October 21, 2021. Alifa and Atina have lived in Turkey for two months, while Mustafa has only been able to join them for four days. Mustafa says that two months ago, while trying to cross the border between Iran and Turkey, he and half of the group he was traveling with were stopped and sent back to Iran by the Turkish police, while his wife and daughter managed to cross the border and enter Turkey.
Alifa, 30 years old and her daughter Atina, 1 years old from Afghanistan are seen inside the house where they live in Van, Turkey on October 21, 2021. Alifa and Atina have lived in Turkey for two months, while her husband Mustafa has only been able to join them for four days. Mustafa says that two months ago, while trying to cross the border between Iran and Turkey, he and half of the group he was traveling with were stopped and sent back to Iran by the Turkish police, while his wife and daughter managed to cross the border and enter Turkey.
Uzra, 45 years old and her son Muhsen, 8 years old from Afghanistan are portrayed inside the house where they live in Van, Turkey on October 21, 2021.
Mohammed, 38 years old from Parwan province, Afghanistan is seen with his family inside the house where he lives in Van, Turkey on October 24, 2021. Mohammed arrived in Turkey for about a month and a half with his two wives and his five children paying 7200 dollars for the entire family.
Behishta, 20 years old (left) and her husband Abdul, 24 years old from Kabul, Afghanistan are portrayed in Van, Turkey on October 24, 2021. Only four days after their wedding and when the Taliban took power in Afghanistan, they decided to leave their country and settle in Turkey.
Mohammed, 38 years old (center) from Parwan province, Afghanistan is portrayed with his two wives and his five children inside the house where he lives in Van, Turkey on October 24, 2021. Mohammed arrived in Turkey for about a month and a half paying 7200 dollars for the entire family.
A photo shows Shogofa (Mohammed wife) when she was in Afghanistan and worked for the ANP (Afghan National Police) in Van, Turkey on October 24, 2021.
A photo shows Mohammed when he was in Afghanistan and worked for the ANP (Afghan National Police) in Van, Turkey on October 24, 2021. Mohammed arrived in Turkey for about a month and a half with his two wives and his five children paying 7200 dollars for the entire family.
Mohammed, 38 years old from Parwan province, Afghanistan at work inside a fish shop in Van, Turkey on October 24, 2021. Mohammed arrived in Turkey for about a month and a half with his two wives and his five children paying 7200 dollars for the entire family.
A general view of the Kurubas detention center in the border city of Van, Turkey on October 25, 2021. The center opened in April 2017 and hosts mostly Afghans arrested while trying to illegally enter Turkey via Iran. According to Cuma Omurca, director of the migration department in Van province, the goal is to stop irregular immigration and the activity of smugglers.
Refugees from Afghanistan caught by Turkish security forces after crossing illegally into Turkey from Iran, wait for registration at the Kurubas detention center in the border city of Van, Turkey on October 25, 2021. The center opened in April 2017 and hosts mostly Afghans arrested while trying to illegally enter Turkey via Iran. According to Cuma Omurca, director of the migration department in Van province, the goal is to stop irregular immigration and the activity of smugglers.
Backpacks belonging to Afghan refugees caught by Turkish security forces after crossing illegally into Turkey from Iran are seen inside the Kurubas detention center in the border city of Van, Turkey on October 25, 2021. The center opened in April 2017 and hosts mostly Afghans arrested while trying to illegally enter Turkey via Iran. According to Cuma Omurca, director of the migration department in Van province, the goal is to stop irregular immigration and the activity of smugglers.
Refugees from Afghanistan play volley inside the Kurubas detention center in the border city of Van, Turkey on October 25, 2021. The center opened in April 2017 and hosts mostly Afghans arrested while trying to illegally enter Turkey via Iran. According to Cuma Omurca, director of the migration department in Van province, the goal is to stop irregular immigration and the activity of smugglers.
A general view of the Kurubas detention center in the border city of Van, Turkey on October 25, 2021. The center opened in April 2017 and hosts mostly Afghans arrested while trying to illegally enter Turkey via Iran. According to Cuma Omurca, director of the migration department in Van province, the goal is to stop irregular immigration and the activity of smugglers.
Refugees from Afghanistan have their hair cut at the Kurubas detention center in the border city of Van, Turkey on October 25, 2021. The center opened in April 2017 and hosts mostly Afghans arrested while trying to illegally enter Turkey via Iran. According to Cuma Omurca, director of the migration department in Van province, the goal is to stop irregular immigration and the activity of smugglers.
Women and children from Afghanistan are seen inside a playroom of the Kurubas detention center in the border city of Van, Turkey on October 25, 2021. The center opened in April 2017 and hosts mostly Afghans arrested while trying to illegally enter Turkey via Iran. According to Cuma Omurca, director of the migration department in Van province, the goal is to stop irregular immigration and the activity of smugglers.
From left: Murtaza, 19 years old, Zahra, 20 years old, Maryam, 22 years old and Zahra, 4 years old, from Afghanistan are seen inside the house where they live in Van, Turkey on October 21, 2021.
Mujtaba, 19 years old (left), Rasul, 50 years old (center) and Sharif, 21 years old (right) from Kabul, Afghanistan are seen inside a house in Van, Turkey on October 21, 2021.
From left: Zahra, 4 years old, Maryam, 22 years old, Mujtaba, 19 years old and Sharif, 21 years old from Kabul, Afghanistan are portrayed inside the house where they live in Van, Turkey on October 21, 2021. When the Taliban took power in Afghanistan, they arrested their father but he managed to send them a message saying to flee the country. From that day on, the children have no longer been able to hear from their father. Their journey from Afghanistan to Turkey began about a month and a half ago. When they arrived in Turkey they were forced to stay fourteen day in a house before the smugglers received the money required for organizing their trip, that is 1100 dollars each.
From left: Mohammed, 32 years old, Zahra, 20 years old and Murtaza, 19 years old from Afghanistan are portrayed inside the house where they live in Van, Turkey on October 21, 2021.
Torualay, 33 years old (left), Rashed, 25 years old (center) and Najeb Ahmmad Rahimi, 25 years old (right) from Afghanistan are portrayed in a valley outside the city of Van, Turkey on October 23, 2021. When the Taliban took power in Afghanistan,Torualay, Rashed and Najeb Ahmmad Rahimi left the country as they worked for the Afghan army and their lives were in serious danger. Torualay claims he killed 45 Taliban while working for the Afghan army.
Afghan refugees are seen in a valley outside the city of Van, Turkey on October 23, 2021. Since the Taliban took power in Afghanistan, thousands of people have been leaving the country and many of them have tried to get to Turkey via Iran.
Afghan refugees are seen in a valley outside the city of Van, Turkey on October 23, 2021. Since the Taliban took power in Afghanistan, thousands of people have been leaving the country and many of them have tried to get to Turkey via Iran.
A general view of the wall that separates Turkey from Iran in Somkaya, Turkey on October 23, 2021. Turkey is building a wall at the Iranian border to block the massive influx of refugees fleeing Afghanistan since the fall of Kabul.