A F L O AT Lesbos, Greece
Todd Rigos
Documentary & Photo Journalism 2020
The overcrowded refugee camp on the Greek island of Lesbos, has been called many names: a living hell, a European failure, a miserable place. To its 25.000 residents who have no access to electricity and clean running water it is “The Jungle”. To them, Moria is more than an often life-threatening place notorious for its unsanitary conditions that poses even greater threat amid the COVID-19 pandemic. It is where they begin to recover. It is home. Documenting life in Moria, a former military base that turned into Europe’s biggest refugee camp, is hard to put into words. It often feels like there’s nothing left but hope. But hope is enough to help them stay afloat.
Landscape view of Moria. With no electricity and clean running water the residents call it the Jungle. Lesbos, Greece, February 2020.
Found near the port of Skala Sikamineas: An inflatable boat used by refugees (fifty, sometimes sixty at a time) to cross the Aegean sea from Turkey as they fight for hours with the weather, the sea and the coast guard. Lesbos, Greece, February 2020.
Rescue boat remains after another refugee arrival on the island. Lesbos, Greece, February 2020.
Another boat arrived at 4.30am amid heavy rain and complete darkness. A family is trying to keep warm as they wait until the next morning for the police identification and registration procedures Lesbos, Greece, February 2020.
A father keeps his phone lit to make his child feel safe during their first night upon arrival. Lesbos, Greece, February 2020.
Many are arrested on their way from the camp to the port of Mytilene hoping to find a boat to continue their journey into Europe. Lesbos, Greece, February 2020.
Refugees are going to the port of Mytilene everyday, expecting to find a boat to Athens. Lesbos, Greece, February 2020.
Scene of daily life at the moria in refugee camp, where people can spend from six months up to several years. Lesbos, Greece, February 2020.
A woman is hanging the family’s laundry on a sunny day at camp. Lesbos, Greece, February 2020.
A boy is holding flatbreads made in makeshift ovens set up around Moria camp. Lesbos, Greece, February 2020.
A man is washing his hair with bottles of water. With one water tap for every 1000 people amid the COVID-19 pandemic the conditions are terrible. Lesbos, Greece, February 2020.
A little boy is showing off a toy gun. Lesbos, Greece, February 2020.
A family standing in front of their makeshift home in the mountains outside of Moria camp. Lesbos, Greece, February 2020.
Refugees are playing volleyball in the camp’s only court. Physical activity is essential for one’s health and mental well-being. Lesbos, Greece, February 2020.
A refugee is wearing a protective face mask in an effort to limit the spread of the Coronavirus. Lesbos, Greece, February 2020.
A makeshift mosque in the middle of the “Jungle�. Praying is a big part of everyday life, helping people in some of the most difficult times. Lesbos, Greece, February 2020.
Redefining schooling at the Moria camp in Lesbos. The classroom serves as a safe haven for refugee children. Lesbos, Greece, February 2020.
A family of seven in their tent. The tea making or cooking process on the wood stove fills the space with smoke making it dangerous to stay inside. Lesbos, Greece, February 2020.
A little girl is standing in front of large piles of trash. The smell it emits throughout the camp is unbearable. Lesbos, Greece, February 2020.
The refugees need to keep warm defies the health risks of burning plastic that releases toxic fumes. Lesbos, Greece, February 2020.
Star Boy, a migrant from Africa, served as my tour guide hoping to get a small amount of money to ensure food and basic necessities. Lesbos, Greece, February 2020.
A child changing a light bulb inside the camp at night. Lesbos, Greece, February 2020.
Moria camp at night when the night falls the darkness is thick, crime rises and fear prevails. Lesbos, Greece, February 2020.
The official Moria camp was set up on a former military base. The residents refer to it as “Prison�. Lesbos, Greece, February 2020.
Landscape view of the “Mountain of Misery� created by accumulated life vests, clothes and personal items left along the shores of Lesbos where hundreds of thousands refugees have arrived since 2015. Lesbos, Greece, February 2020
Todd Rigos Documentary & Photo Journalism 2020
Todd Rigos (b.1987) is a contemporary photographer from Athens, Greece, whose work explores notions of intimacy, identity, and human interaction. Through curiosity, observation and presence he seeks to witness and document patterns between people, nature, the things we consume and the milieus in which we live. He started developing his personal work in 2009 and his self-taught skills extend across digital and analogue photography. In 2019 he enrolled in the 1 year Documentary and Photo Journalism program in Speos International Photographic Institute in Paris.
Contact: +33 6 37 52 53 60
www.toddrigos.com toddrigosphotoworks@gmail.com https://www.instagram.com/toddrigosphotography Š Todd Rigos - All Rights Reserved 2020