Screen Shot 2018-04-12 at 8.48.53 PM.png

THE IN-BETWEEN - A REFUGEE STORY - HERE

Featured as: Adobe Spark's Editors Selection

Michael covered the refugee crisis in Greece during the height of migrant arrivals in 2016. Capturing the Moria riot fires - Michael's work was published across 32 publications internationally including The Huffington Post, The Guardian, and Associated Press Greece.

After the riots, Michael moved his focus back to Athens. Here, he focused his imagery on families living in abandoned buildings, or unofficial "refugee squats". While technically illegal - the local government allowed the squats to relieve pressure on the already growing homeless refugee population. While the living conditions in these buildings bordered on inhumane - it was a luxurious alternative to the streets - or worse, a camp.

Through a series of interviews, Michael discovered that instances of violence, sexual assault, and theft were not as prevalent in the squats. When left to govern themselves, the everyday issues present in the camps seemed to dissipate.

Michael's article details the litany of issues with government-run refugee camps, and why refugee-operated housing is a viable alternative for the time being.

09/19/16 - 2:30pm: Greek riot police return to their compound as a crowd of migrants gathered to chant and throw rocks.

09/19/16 - 9:30pm: Migrants watch on as the Moria refugee camp burns to the ground. ©Mike Schwarz/AP

09/19/16 - 10:00pm - Police lead a group of refugees out of the camp as one of the first fire trucks attempts to enter after the fire has been burning for well over three hours. ©Mike Schwarz/AP

09/21/16 - 12:00pm - Moria Refugee Camp: Injuries allegedly inflicted by Greek police officers.

10/14/16 - Ali Alowi stands in the blanketed doorway of his families living quarters. The room (20x20) is split in to four sections, and houses four families.

09/19/16 - 9:30pm - Smoldering trash spills out of an overturned dumpster during the Moria riots.

09/26/16 - A Syrian migrant displays a photo from his Facebook page of an injured boy during an attack in Alleppo, Syria that same day (Sept. 17, 2016). The scars on the mans arm are from a suicide attempt while he was staying in a camp outside Athens. "I lost my country," he told me. He is 21 years old.

10/17/16 - Men sit outside the entrance to Jasmine School.

Athens Day 11 Edits 2 - Mike Schwarz_.jpg

10/18/16 - A young refugee looks out over the courtyard of Jasmine School through the bars of the third floor window.

Ali Alowi, 3, of Syria

10/13/16 - The main spiral staircase of Jasmine School is lined with chicken wire to prevent children from falling through the gaping holes in the railing.

09/21/16 - 12:00pm - Moria Refugee Camp: Injuries allegedly inflicted by Greek police officers.

10/12/16 - Syrian refugees enjoy their only meal for the day in an abandoned Jasmine School classroom. The meal consists of rice, mixed vegetables, and pita bread. The portion shown is divided between ten Syrian men (aged 20-30 years old) all living in the same room. "It is so much better than camp food," one man said. "It is Syrian. The women cook it for us. What is better than that?"

10/15/16 - An unnamed refugee stands outside the Jasmine School squat. Many men would sit on the stoop all day - simply watching their children play in the courtyard, and waiting for their papers to be processed.

09/19/16 - 9:30pm: Migrants watch on as the Moria refugee camp burns to the ground. ©Mike Schwarz/AP

10/12/16 - Two Syrian refugees walk down the main spiral staircase of Jasmine School.

10/17/16 - Children play in the courtyard of the once-abandoned Jasmine School Refugee Squat.

10/19/16 - Ali Alowi and his mother walk through the dark hallway of the third floor corridor. Tents take up any free space available in the school as refugees attempt to escape the dangers of the streets.

10/18/16 - Ali Alowi and his father relaxing in the bed they all share as a family.

10/19/16 - A group photo of the 4th floor boy’s room in Jasmine School (age 15-32) - all single. These 12-14 men (not all pictured) shared this single room, dinner, and bedding every night.

10/19/16 - Children play in the lobby of Jasmine School.

10/19/16 - Ali Alowi stands on while a man begins his evening prayer.

Athens Day 10 Edits 2 - Mike Schwarz_-20.jpg

The Jasmine School barber cuts a man's hair in the hallway of the second floor. Haircuts are three euro.

Athens Day 10 Edits 2 - Mike Schwarz_-24.jpg

09/24/16 - 2:00pm: Mothers and their children stand outside while the lobby of City Plaza Refugee squat is cleaned. The abandoned 7-story hotel now houses 400 migrants (180 of those children).

09/26/16 - German volunteer Max H. cuts chicken cutlets in the kitchen. "I am here because I like to cook," he said.

09/26/16 - Laundry hangs out to dry on the balconies of the 7-story City Plaza Hotel.

Athens Day 10 Edits 2 - Mike Schwarz_-6.jpg

09/26/16 - Plates of food are given out at lunch time using a meal ticket system.

09/26/16 - Hamit M., an Iranian refugee living in City Plaza for four months, sits in the bar area before dinner. Hamit often assists in the kitchen and cafeteria area. On this day he arranged all the chairs and tables in preparation for dinner.