A photographic journey to the no man’s land between Hungary and Serbia

September 22, 2016 -

screen-shot-2016-09-22-at-8-21-24-pm

Forced to wait months to enter the transit zone at the Hungarian border, refugees have built an entire camp between Hungary and Serbia. Tents built from blankets, children’s swings rigged up from sheets.  There is even an amateur hairdresser’s.  Meanwhile there are not enough toilets, and the problem of garbage removal has not been solved. The emergency showers are infested with flies.  At present there are some 300 refugees awaiting admission to the transit zone.

Prize-winning Hungarian photographer D. András Hajdu made a photographic journey in the no man’s land between Hungary and Serbia.

The camp is situated before the transit zone on the Hungarian border. Many have been waiting there for months to enter the transit zone and apply for asylum. Hungarian authorities admit only 15 people per day. On the Hungarian side there is only one water tap. Photo: D. András Hajdu
The camp is situated just outside the transit zone on the Hungarian border. Many have been waiting there for months to enter the transit zone and apply for asylum. Hungarian authorities admit only 15 people per day. On the Hungarian side of the no man’s land there is only one water tap. Photo: D. András Hajdu
On the edge of the camp there is an amateur hairdresser. On some days he has as many as 20 customers. Photo: D. András Hajdu
On the edge of the camp there is an amateur hairdresser. On some days he has as many as 20 customers. Photo: D. András Hajdu
There is no public lighting in the camp. The refugees use solar powered lamps which they charge during the day. Photo: D. András Hajdu
There is no public lighting in the camp. The refugees use solar-powered lamps which they charge during the day. Photo: D. András Hajdu
In the camp Serbian charities distribute food and water. Doctors Without Frontiers is also present with a medical team. They say there are many refugees sick with viruses and that depression and panic attacks are widespread. Photo: D. András Hajdu
In the camp Serbian charities distribute food and water. Doctors Without Frontiers is also present with a medical team. They say there are many refugees sick with viruses and that depression and panic attacks are widespread. Photo: D. András Hajdu
Some have been waiting for two months to enter Hungary. Photo: D. András Hajdu
Some of the refugees have been waiting for two months to enter Hungary. Photo: D. András Hajdu
The pantry--this is where they store the food distributed by the humanitarian organizations. Photo: D. András Hajdu
The pantry. This is where they store the food distributed by the humanitarian organizations. Photo: D. András Hajdu
Farazd has lived in the camp with his family for 55 days. Photo: D. András Hajdu
Farazd has lived in the camp with his family for 55 days. Photo: D. András Hajdu
Benjamin plays with his father who has rigged up a swing for his 5-year old son. Photo: D. András Hajdu
Benjamin plays with his father who has rigged up a swing for his 5-year-old son. Photo: D. András Hajdu
The mosque--in the middle of the camp there is a communal tent where prayers are held five times a day. Photo: D. András Hajdu
The mosque. In the middle of the camp there is a communal tent where prayers are held five times a day. Photo: D. András Hajdu
Lunchtime. Photo: D. András Hajdu
Lunchtime. Photo: D. András Hajdu
Many have built a shower inside their tent consisting of a hole in the ground that drains the water outside the tent. Humanitarian organizations say there are serious hygienic problems in the camp. Photo: D. András Hajdu
Many have built a shower inside their tent consisting of a hole in the ground that drains the water outside the tent. Humanitarian organizations say there are serious hygienic problems in the camp. Photo: D. András Hajdu
Due to a shortage of mirrors, refugees shave one another. Photo: D. András Hajdu
Due to a shortage of mirrors, refugees shave one another. Photo: D. András Hajdu
The Serbian Red Cross operates a mobile phone charging station using a car battery. Photo: D. András Hajdu
The Serbian Red Cross operates a mobile phone charging station powered by a car battery. Photo: D. András Hajdu
Many complain that they were punched in the face in nearby Horos. This man wears a surgical mask to cover his wound. Photo: D. András Hajdu
Many complain that they were punched in the face in nearby Horgos, on the Serbian side. This man wears a surgical mask to cover his wound. Photo: D. András Hajdu