Over 1 million refugees and migrants have reached Europe's shores in 2015, overwhelming the continent and presenting the worst refugee crisis since World War II. Many thousands have been fleeing from conflict in Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan, while thousands of others, from Bangladesh, Iran, and Pakistan seek better livelihoods. The recent Euro 3bn deal struck between Turkey and the EU, intended to stanch the flow of people, has resulted in Turkish authorities cracking down on the smugglers and rounding up refugees, preventing them from making the sea crossing, but some continue to try despite the high number of fatalities.
A man comforts his crying son shortly after arriving on the shores of Lesbos, Greece, on November 17, 2015. The roughly 1.5 hour boat ride between Turkey's western coastline and the closest Greek island has cost anywhere between $900-3000 per person. With winter approaching, the weather also becomes more unpredictable, causing further confusion and fear for refugees fleeing conflict.
A rubber dingy, packed with refugees mostly from Syria, is assisted to shore in Lesbos, Greece, on November 16, 2015, after having crossed the Aegean Sea from Turkey. Nearby is a small wooden boat previously used by other refugees arriving in Greece.
Volunteers attempt to assist a small wooden boat, packed with refugees, to shore in Lesbos, Greece, on November 16, 2015. The boat cut its engine about 50 meters from the shore without a clear reason. After all of the refugees had alighted from the boat, the engine was restarted and began making its way back to Turkey. It was discovered that the Turkish smuggler remained hidden on board to save himself for the return back to Turkey.
A refugee family, with nothing but the clothes on their backs, makes the several kilometers walk towards a transit center in Lesbos, Greece, on November 12, 2015, shortly after making the crossing from Turkey.
A family salvages a baby carriage near the border between Greece and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia on December 10, 2015. The previous day, a makeshift camp there with migrants from Morocco, Bangladesh, Iran, Pakistan, and elsewhere - which had been occupied for weeks - was cleared by the Greek police as Europe turns back those who are not specifically fleeing war. Refugees from Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan are being permitted through to continue the route to Western Europe, whilst other nationalities are being directly transferred back to Athens.
Refugees and migrants wait to cross the border between Greece and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia on December 10, 2015. The previous day, a makeshift camp there with migrants from Morocco, Bangladesh, Iran, Pakistan, and elsewhere - which had been occupied for weeks - was cleared by the Greek police as Europe turns back those who are not specifically fleeing war. Refugees from Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan are being permitted through to continue the route to Western Europe, whilst other nationalities are being directly transferred back to Athens.
Tariq, left, Nisreen, and their five-year old daughter Roslyn, are seen on the day-long bus ride from Athens to the Greek-Macedonian border in the far north, as they continue their journey from Syria to Germany, on December 19, 2015.