The Syrian Refugee Crisis In 21 Devastating Photos

At its peak, 14,000 mainly Syrian and Iraqi refugees camped out in Idomeni, but in May 2016, Greek police shut down the camp, hoping to send refugees to "official camps."

In 2014, Turkey became home to 700,000 Syrian refugees. In 2016, that number reached more than 2 million.

MOAS has saved 2,000 people in 2016 so far, and a total of 15,000 people since they began working in 2014.

A month earlier, the EU reached a deal with Turkey stipulating that if refugees arriving in Greece do not apply for asylum in Europe or if their claim is rejected, they will be sent back to Turkey, where their journey began.
,br>As a result, many refugees are stranded in Turkey, hoping to settle there permanently. With limited healthcare and education, and without stable housing, many are forced to squat on empty land or unused buildings, living in tents or makeshift structures and under the constant threat of being relocated to one of the 25 official camps elsewhere in the country.

Although many have been given restricted work permits allowing them to work various jobs, the long hours and minimal pay only provide enough money for basic necessities. Most cannot afford rent.

The BBC reports that since Europe closed its borders to migrants, 60,000 people have become stranded in the already financially strained Greece, waiting to find out if they will be granted asylum in Europe.

Heavy fighting between Islamic State militants and Kurdish fighters has taken place there over the past several years.

Migrants protesting the border closings continue to clash with police in Greece. Police have used tear gas, rubber bullets, and grenades to drive people away from the border crossing.

In 2015, the Guardian reported that Germany, the top refugee destination, took in nearly 1 million asylum seekers.

Turkey's continued conflict with Kurdish militia has so far displaced 200,000 people, while thousands more Kurds flee ISIS.

Dozens of rafts are still making the journey daily as thousands flee conflict in Iraq, Syria, and Afghanistan. UNHCR reports that in 2015, 1 million refugees reached Europe by sea, and 4,000 more drowned trying to make the journey. Half of them were Syrians fleeing war and persecution.

They had no access to food and aid until the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) was able to gain entry. Nevertheless, some civilians still remain stranded in the camp without proper medical care, food, or water.

In just five months, Jordan opened its borders to 20,000 refugees, but after the border crossing was designated a military zone in June 2016, the Jordanian government barred UN aid workers from providing food, water, and medical care to the those living in refugee camps.