PROJECT > RELOCATED IDENTITIES, documenting who lacks documentation
RELOCATED IDENTITIES is a multimedia journey through Jordan, where Syrian refugees living in host communities face the risk of being relocated to Zaatari and Azraq camps or deported to Syria due to a lack of legal documentation.
Jordan is a country that appears calm, where not much seems to happen besides a group of tourists spending their weekends between the spa on the Dead Sea and the ancient site of Petra, and enjoying an unforgettable sleepover in tents under a velvet sky in the canyon of Wadi Rum. However, there is also Zaatari, the most well-known and advanced refugee camp, which has almost become an example of urban development, capable of accommodating nearly 80,000 Syrians.
During my trip to Jordan with INTERSOS workers, I witnessed another reality. Only 20% of Syrians in the country live inside a camp, and the living conditions are not as they have been portrayed. The remaining 80% of Syrians are settled outside the camps, in urban and rural areas of the country, specifically in ITS (Informal Tented Settlements) located on private lands. Although these settlements are technically illegal, the government allows them to exist. Families themselves negotiate economic arrangements with landowners, including prices for water, electricity, and work on the land, which varies according to the season and safety considerations.
I came to understand the necessity of living a nomadic life after visiting Azraq, a camp situated in the middle of the desert, between a fortified military area and the border with Saudi Arabia. It takes a minimum of two hours to drive from Azraq to reach the nearest city. The intense heat and swirling dust make the journey inhospitable for those without access to a car. Along the sole highway, only a few billboards discreetly inform visitors that photography is prohibited. I was informed that Azraq serves as a detention camp for Syrians who lack valid documentation and are subsequently relocated there.
The lack of documentation provides a lens through which we can comprehend the situation in Jordan and, on a broader scale, what is occurring in Europe. It is a complex and intriguing bureaucratic issue that yields visible consequences. The documentation in question can be categorized into two types: legal papers, namely the UNHCR registration and the Ministry of Interior card, and civil papers, namely marriage certificates, birth certificates, and death certificates. Each piece of documentation is intimately tied to the integrity of an individual’s life.
Without legal papers, an individual is unrecognized by the government, which subsequently renders them invisible to NGOs. As a result, they are denied access to essential services, schools, and hospitals. This deprivation of identity robs them not only of a secure future but also of the ability to meet their present needs.
Without civil documentation, individuals are stripped of their freedom of movement, driven by the fear of authorities and the potential consequences, including relocation to camps or even deportation to Syria. This fear extends to the possibility of being separated from their families. In fact, 93% of refugees express their fear of moving if they lack proper documentation. Consequently, their choice to live in remote areas and conceal themselves is understandable. The frustration arising from such a way of life often motivates many to embark on the perilous journey in an attempt to reach Europe.
RELOCATED IDENTITIES aims to give voice to these individuals, sharing their fears, experiences, and motivations, ultimately working towards restoring their identities.
As a result of our experience, we created a multimedia project that resembled a travel diary of our journey through the country. Our collection included a series of interviews, accompanied by black and white portrait photographs, and short color videos.
The art of black and white photography holds immense power as it can capture images that transcend time and depict universal emotions. On the other hand, videos are the ideal medium to witness and experience events that are unfolding in the present moment.
Symbolically, the utilization of black and white in this project represents the unknown aspects that we perceive from a distance, while color is used to represent the moment when we choose to learn about and become acquainted with the subjects.
