Typical of the stories told by refugees in Zaatari is that of the Fattl Alnzame family.
- Harrowing journey for refugees
- Fleeing the bombs
- Acid poured on handcuff wounds
- Shelter offers relative comfort
- Winter journey to safety
- 'Please, photos and write . . . anything'
- Existence in exile severe
- Purpose-built, orderly and secure
- 2000 asylum seekers interviewed daily
- Night-time crawl under fire to escape
- 85,000 souls spread across camp
- Young scholar pleads for help
- Travel diary
Like many, their decision to leave Syria was made after the destruction of the family home in an air raid.
On the journey out, they faced more aerial bombings and ''many dangers'' as the extended family of 12 travelled by car across Syria, from Dara'a.
It is the home of many people we speak to.
He was a driver in Syria and not a ''wealthy man''.
Mohammad and his extended family of 12 live between two small ''caravans''.
His is a floorless aluminium shed with tattered rugs on the ground. The family sit around us as we are served glasses of bitter coffee.
Life in the camp is tough and Mohammad does not always feel safe.
''Sometimes,'' he says with a shrug, when asked if the camp is a secure place for his family.
''Not safe, not all the time.''
He would like his family to have the opportunity to leave the camp to travel to another country.
''Where?'' I ask.
''Anywhere,'' he replies.
''Here [the camp] is like a prison. There is no future for our children because we do not have permission to go out.''
Does he have a message for the people of New Zealand?
''Of course. Tell them I would go [there],'' he says.
As we prepare to leave the small caravan, he tells me off for drinking my coffee too slowly.
''Like this one [mouthful],'' he says laughing.
- Steve Addison
