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Human Flow

Stories from the Global Refugee Crisis
  • Ai Weiwei
  • Edited by: Boris Cheshirkov , Boris Cheshirkov , Ryan Heath and Chin-chin Yap
Language: English
Published/Copyright: 2020
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About this book

A powerful portrait of the greatest humanitarian emergency of our time, from the director of Human Flow

In the course of making Human Flow, his epic feature documentary about the global refugee crisis, the artist Ai Weiwei and his collaborators interviewed more than 600 refugees, aid workers, politicians, activists, doctors, and local authorities in twenty-three countries around the world. A handful of those interviews were included in the film. This book presents one hundred of these conversations in their entirety, providing compelling first-person stories of the lives of those affected by the crisis and those on the front lines of working to address its immense challenges.

Speaking in their own words, refugees give voice to their experiences of migrating across borders, living in refugee camps, and struggling to rebuild their lives in unfamiliar and uncertain surroundings. They talk about the dire circumstances that drove them to migrate, whether war, famine, or persecution; and their hopes and fears for the future. A wide range of related voices provides context for the historical evolution of this crisis, the challenges for regions and states, and the options for moving forward.

Complete with photographs taken by Ai Weiwei while filming Human Flow, this book provides a powerful, personal, and moving account of the most urgent humanitarian crisis of our time.

Author / Editor information

Ai Weiwei is one of the world’s most prominent artists and political activists. His books include Weiwei-isms and Humanity (both Princeton). His works have been exhibited at Tate Modern, the Guggenheim, and the Museum of Modern Art. He lives in Berlin. Twitter @aiww

Reviews

"A remarkable dossier. . . . Human Flow needs to be read now."---Jeremy Adelman, Public Books --- "Providing descriptions of the difficulties from many perspectives of the refugee situation and perspectives on how it might be dealt with, [Human Flow] is a powerful resource about a critical humanitarian issue. . .Highly recommended." --- "A gift for those who care deeply about their fellow humans, or a needed wake-up call for those who could learn a little empathy, Ai Weiwei’s book Human Flow brings to light the stories of those on the front lines of the global refugee crisis . . . [T]his book is able to give voice to many . . . featuring 100 first-person accounts alongside Weiwei’s photographs."---Shannon Connellan, Mashable --- "Provides a powerful, personal, and moving account of the most urgent humanitarian crisis of our time."---Eleni Sakellis, National Herald

Topics

  • Publicly Available

    Frontmatter

    i
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  • Publicly Available

    Contents

    v
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  • Publicly Available

    Editors’ Note

    xi
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  • Publicly Available

    Introduction

    xiii
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    001 Pascal Thirion, Tempelhof Management Tempelhof Refugee Camp, Berlin, Germany, 2015-12- 16 and 2016-02- 09

    1
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    002 Amama, Refugee Tempelhof Refugee Camp, Berlin, Germany, 2015-12- 18 and 2016-02- 10

    7
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    003 Atiq Atiqullah, Refugee Moria Camp, Greece, 2015-12- 26

    10
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    004 Boris Cheshirkov, UNHCR Lesvos, Greece, 2016-01- 01 and 2016-02- 19

    14
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    005 Fareshta Ahmadi, Refugee Tempelhof Refugee Camp, Berlin, Germany, 2016-02- 09

    22
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    006 Peter Albers and Andreas Lindner, Tempelhof Medical Centre Berlin, Germany, 2016-02- 10

    23
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    007 Ioannis Mouzalas, Former Greek Minister for Migration Policy Lesvos, Greece, 2016-02- 13

    26
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    008 Mustafa Dawa, Funeral Director Lesvos, Greece, 2016-02- 14

    29
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    009 Spyros Galinos, Lesvos Mayor Lesvos, Greece, 2016-02- 14

    33
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    010 Salam Aldeen, Team Humanity Lesvos, Greece, 2016-02- 14 and 2016-02- 17

    38
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    011 Sadia Moshid, Médecins Sans Frontières Lesvos, Greece, 2016-02- 15

    43
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    012 Melinda McRostie, Starfish Foundation Molyvos, Lesvos, Greece, 2016-02- 15

    46
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    013 Krzysztot Burowski, Frontex Lesvos, Greece, 2016-02- 16

    49
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    014 Giorgia Linardi, Sea-Watch Lesvos, Greece, 2016-02- 17

    51
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    015 Aris Messinis, Photographer Athens, Greece, 2016-02- 18

    55
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    016 Nikos Golias, Hellenic Coast Guard Lesvos, Greece, 2016-02- 19

    58
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    017 Ibrahim Abujanad, Refugee Eleonas Refugee Camp, Athens, Greece, 2016-02- 21

    62
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    018 Rozhan Hossin, Refugee Idomeni, Greece, 2016-03- 04 and 2016-03- 05

    65
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    019 Peter Bouckaert, Human Rights Watch Idomeni, Greece, 2016-03- 09

    72
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    020 Thomas Conin, Filmmaker Calais, France, 2016-03- 09

    73
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    021 Christian Salomé, L’Auberge des Migrants Calais, France, 2016-03- 10

    75
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    022 Gilles de Boves, Unité SGP Police Calais, France, 2016-03- 10

    81
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    023 Amina Khalil, Refugee Idomeni, Greece, 2016-03- 10

    85
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    024 Emran Kohesta, Refugee Idomeni, Greece, 2016-03- 11

    86
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    025 Bahareh, Refugee Gevgelija Camp, Macedonia, 2016-03- 15

    89
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    026 Vaise, Refugee Idomeni, Greece, 2016-03- 18

    91
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    027 The Abboud Family, Refugees Idomeni, Greece, 2016-03- 20 and 2016-04- 01 / Sweden, 2016-05- 22

    93
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    028 Muhammad Faris, Refugee Amman, Jordan, 2016-03- 20

    104
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    029 Cem Terzi, Bridging Peoples Association İzmir, Turkey, 2016-03- 22

    108
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    030 Chaled, Refugee İzmir, Turkey, 2016-03- 23

    115
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    031 Piril Ercoban, Association for Solidarity with Refugees İzmir, Turkey, 2016-03- 23

    119
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    032 Rami Jarrah, Activist News Association Gaziantep, Turkey, 2016-03- 24

    124
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    033 Ismetollah Sediqi, Refugee İzmir, Turkey, 2016-03- 24

    126
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    034 Murat Bay, Journalist Nizip, Turkey, 2016-03- 26 and 2016-04- 21

    128
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    035 Tibor Benkő, Hungarian Armed Forces Hungarian Border, 2016-03- 28

    132
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    036 Ahmet Osman, Refugee Nizip, Turkey, 2016-03- 29

    134
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    037 László Toroczkai, Mayor of Ásotthalom Ásotthalom, Hungary, 2016-03- 29

    136
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    038 Ahmad Touma, Syrian Politician Nizip, Turkey, 2016-03- 29

    139
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    039 Zaki and Manan, Refugees Bicske, Hungary, 2016-03- 30 / Hannover, Germany, 2016-04- 12

    141
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    040 Anonymous, Turkish Citizen Dikili, Turkey, 2016-04- 02

    148
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    041 Mustafa Toprak, Mayor of Dikili Dikili, Turkey, 2016-04- 02

    149
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    042 Zaharoula Tsirigoti, Lesvos Police Lesvos, Greece, 2016-04- 04

    150
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    043 Nadim Houry, Human Rights Watch Beirut, Lebanon, 2016-04- 06

    151
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    044 Maha Yahya, Carnegie Middle East Center Beirut, Lebanon, 2016-04- 06

    158
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    045 Abou Ahmad, Refugee Shatila Camp, Beirut, Lebanon, 2016-04- 07

    162
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    046 Mohammed al-Khatib, Museum of Memories Beirut, Lebanon, 2016-04- 07

    165
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    047 Walid Joumblatt, Lebanese Druze Leader Moukhtara, Lebanon, 2016-04- 08

    167
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    048 Tanya Chapuisat, UNICEF Ain al-Hilweh Refugee Camp, Lebanon, 2016-04- 09

    173
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    049 Paul Yon, Médecins Sans Frontières Ain al-Hilweh Refugee Camp, Lebanon, 2016-04- 09

    175
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    050 Andrew Harper, UNHCR Amman, Jordan, 2016-04- 11

    180
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    051 Princess Dana Firas of Jordan Amman, Jordan, 2016-04- 12

    184
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    052 Sanaa Ahmad Ataullah, Refugee Zaatari Camp, Jordan, 2016-04- 16

    187
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    053 Mustafa Enver, Refugee Urfa Province, Turkey, 2016-04- 18

    189
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    054 Fadi Abu Akleh and Hanna Abu Saada, Documentary Fixers Bethlehem, Israel, 2016-05- 09

    190
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    055 Munther Amira, Aida Camp Youth Club Bethlehem, Israel, 2016-05- 09

    195
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    056 Hagai El-Ad, B’Tselem Jerusalem, Israel, 2016-05- 09

    197
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    057 Ayman Odeh, Israeli Politician Jerusalem, Israel, 2016-05- 09

    206
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    058 Mukhaimar Abu Saada, Al-Azhar University Gaza, Palestine, 2016-05- 10

    211
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    059 Hanan Ashrawi, Palestinian Politician Ramallah, Palestine, 2016-05- 10

    216
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    060 Mohammed Daoud, Refugee Rafah City, Palestine, 2016-05- 11

    222
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    061 Ahmad Muhammad Osman, Refugee Urfa Province, Turkey, 2016-05- 11

    223
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    062 Mohammed Oweida, Gaza Zoo Director and Abu Bakr Bashir, Documentary Fixer Khan Younis, Gaza, Palestine, 2016-05- 11

    228
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    063 Ten Young Women from Gaza, Students Gaza City, Palestine, 2016-05- 12

    230
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    064 Anonymous, Student Gaza City, Palestine, 2016-05- 12

    236
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    065 Mahmoud al-Zahar, Hamas Politician Gaza City, 2016-05- 12

    238
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    066 Yehuda Shaul, Breaking the Silence Hebron, Palestine, 2016-05- 13

    243
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    067 Sarah Giles, Médecins Sans Frontières Vibo Valentia, Italy, 2016-05- 10 and Sicily, Italy, 2016-09- 30

    252
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    068 Mohammed al-Samaraei, Refugee Berlin, Germany, 2016-06- 01

    254
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    069 Mohammad, Refugee Berlin, Germany, 2016-06- 06

    256
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    070 Sukriye Cetin, Refugee Yüksekova, Turkey, 2016-06- 10

    258
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    071 Hamid Sidig, Afghan Ambassador to Germany Berlin, Germany, 2016-06- 28

    262
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    072 Mohammed and Hasmira, Refugees Bangkok, Thailand, 2016-07- 03

    265
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    073 Maung Kyaw Nu, Activist Bangkok, Thailand, 2016-07- 03

    267
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    074 Sally Thompson, Thailand Burma Border Consortium Bangkok, Thailand, 2016-07- 04

    271
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    075 Muhammad Noor, Rohingya Vision Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 2016-07- 07

    276
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    076 Rafik Ustaz, Activist Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 2016-07- 08

    283
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    077 Majuna and Noor, Refugees Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 2016-07- 09

    288
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    078 Hussain M. F. Alkhateeb, Iraqi Ambassador to Germany Berlin, Germany, 2016-07- 29

    290
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    079 Wella Kouyou, UNHCR Nairobi, Kenya, 2016-08- 10

    296
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    080 Filippo Grandi, UN High Commissioner for Refugees Geneva, Switzerland, 2016-08- 11

    301
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    081 Amir Khalil, Four Paws International Khan Younis, Gaza, Palestine, 2016-08- 23

    306
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    082 Antonio Luna, Refugee Tijuana, Mexico, 2016-09- 26

    308
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    083 Ingrid Hernández, Sociologist Tijuana, Mexico, 2016-09- 26

    310
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    084 Ramon Sanchez, Refugee Tijuana, Mexico, 2016-09- 26

    312
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    085 José Carlos Yee Quintero, Casa Del Migrante Tijuana, Mexico, 2016-09- 27

    315
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    086 Maya Ameratunga, UNHCR Afghanistan Kabul, Afghanistan, 2016-09- 27

    320
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    087 Ahmad Shuja, Human Rights Watch Kabul, Afghanistan, 2016-09- 27

    322
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    088 Haji Khista Khan, Refugee Kabul, Afghanistan, 2016-09- 28

    325
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    089 Abdul Ghafoor, Afghanistan Migrants Advice and Support Organization Kabul, Afghanistan, 2016-09- 28

    326
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    090 Farida Begum, Refugee Nayapara Camp, Bangladesh, 2016-10- 02

    330
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    091 John McKissick, UNHCR Nayapara Camp, Bangladesh, 2016-10- 02

    332
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    092 Peppi Siddiq, International Organization for Migration Kutupalong Camp, Bangladesh, 2016-10- 03

    337
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    093 Mary Finn, SOS Méditerranée Search and Rescue Team Sicily, Italy, 2016-10- 06

    339
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    094 Alameen Hamdan, Refugee Calais, France, 2016-10- 20

    341
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    095 Abbas Ali Sabhan, Refugee Mosul, Iraq, 2016-10- 27

    343
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    096 Gérard Dué, Croisilles Mayor Croisilles, France, 2016-10-31

    345
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    097 Anonymous, Refugee Paris, France, 2016-11- 01

    348
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    098 Nezir Abdullah Ali, Refugee Mosul, Iraq, 2016-11- 02

    349
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    099 Bruno Geddo, UNHCR Erbil, Iraq, 2016-11- 16

    352
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    100 Namshah Sallow, Refugee Erbil, Iraq, 2016-11- 16

    355
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    Timeline

    360
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    Glossary

    365
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    Index

    368
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    About the Author

    380
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    Editors

    381
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    Acknowledgments

    383
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Publishing information
Pages and Images/Illustrations in book
eBook published on:
November 23, 2020
eBook ISBN:
9780691208060
Pages and Images/Illustrations in book
https://doi.org/10.1515/9780691208060
eBook ISBN: 9780691208060
Keywords for this book
Refugee; Palestinians; Afghanistan; Syrians; Refugees of the Syrian Civil War; Palestinian refugees; European migrant crisis; Refugee camp; Myanmar; Israelis; Rohingya people; Syrian civil war; Jews; Politician; Thailand; My Child; United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees; Kurds; Terrorism; Humanitarian aid; Internally displaced person; Israeli–Palestinian conflict; Arabs; Iraqis; Israel; Bangladesh; Asylum seeker; Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant; Taliban; Frontex; Malaysia; 1948 Palestinian exodus; Yazidis; Hamas; Persecution; Sixth grade; Supermarket; Israeli-occupied territories; Tourism; Palestine Liberation Organization; UNRWA; Police officer; My Father; Unemployment; Mosque; Coahuila; Saddam Hussein; Afghan refugees; Fatah; Lesbos; Ain al-Hilweh; Pakistan; Hijab; Psychological trauma; I Wish (manhwa); Algeria; Illegal immigration; State of Palestine; Salary; Country of origin; Kuwait; Tunisia; Saudi Arabia; Pakistanis; Electricity; Ai Weiwei; East Jerusalem; Repatriation (humans); Hafez al-Assad; Lebanese Civil War
Audience(s) for this book
For a non-specialist adult audience
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