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UNICEF Germany Photo of the Year 2020: First Prize -Lesbos, Greece: The flames of misery

It was a catastrophe within a catastrophe: On September 9, 2020, the refugee camp Moria on the Greek island of Lesbos burned to the ground leaving 13,000 people, including 4,000 children, without shelter.

They had fled the war in Syria, the violence in Afghanistan, the fear in Iraq. They endured appalling living conditions, many of them for years. The camp was hopelessly overcrowded, diseases ran rampant, food and clean water were regularly in short supply. 


And then came the flames. With the fire rapidly spreading, the only option left for the refugees was to grab whatever they can and run. Among the many pictures of this inferno, the most impressive images of the children’s suffering were taken by Greek photographer Angelos Tzortzinis. Images of children with breathing masks, walking hand in hand through clouds of smoke. Images of moments of shock and collapse, of horror and crying. And the photo

that shows escape and bravery, disbelief and the readiness to help others in dire need, all in one single image. The strength of a young boy saving an even younger one. The young savior’s eyes full of hope that another, better life may come. According to UN estimates, there are currently around 79.5 million refugees worldwide, including approx. 32 million children and young people..


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