Finland's warm welcome for refugees – in pictures

Giles Duley arrives on the remote island of Nagu in Finland, as part of his photo-reportage work for UNHCR documenting the plight of refugees across Europe, and finds the locals offering touching hospitality to their ‘guests’.

• ‘The refugees are warm, emotional people. There’s a lot we can learn’

  • Davood Jafari, 19, with his sister Arezin, 17, and her three-year-old son Arslan. They fled Afghanistan after the Taliban killed their father.
    Davood Jafari, 19, with his sister Arezin, 17, and her three-year-old son Arslan

  • Arezin wraps up Arslan against the freezing temperatures.
    Arezin wraps up Arslan against the freezing temperatures.

  • The “guests” of Nagu on New Year’s Day at the Strandbo hotel. In October, nearly 100 asylum seekers, mainly from Iraq and Afghanistan, arrived at the hotel.
    The “guests” of Nagu on New Year’s Day at the Strandbo hotel. In October, nearly 100 asylum seekers, mainly from Iraq and Afghanistan, arrived at the hotel.

  • Volunteers from Nagu and refugees laugh together during a New Year’s Eve concert put on by local musicians. Hardly a day goes by without an activity that brings the locals and the guests together. After the concert, the Afghan families asked if they could sing a traditional song; the sadness in their voices left the room in tears.
    Volunteers from Nagu and refugees laugh together during a New Year’s Eve concert put on by local musicians. Hardly a day goes by without an activity that brings the locals and the guests together. After the concert, the Afghan families asked if they could sing a traditional song; the sadness in their voices left the room in tears.

  • Narges and Mohammed Jafari, from Afghanistan , with their three children, Mohammed-Saleh, Amir-Abbas and Mahdi.
    Narges and Mohammed Jafari, from Afghanistan , with their three children, Mohammed-Saleh, Amir-Abbas and Mahdi.

  • Brothers Mahdi and Amir-Abbas from Afghanistan at lunch with their Iraqi friend Mahood.
    Brothers Mahdi and Amir-Abbas from Afghanistan at lunch with their Iraqi friend Mahood.

  • Yazen, who’s from Iraq, sees snow for the first time. For most families, this is the first time they have experienced anything like the cold of Finland.
    Yazen, who’s from Iraq, sees snow for the first time. For most families, this is the first time they have experienced anything like the cold of Finland.

  • Residents of Nagu teach some of the refugees how to make traditional Finnish stick bread on an open fire. For many local people, the arrival of the refugees has helped the whole community find a greater togetherness.
    Residents of Nagu teach some of the refugees how to make traditional Finnish stick bread on an open fire. For many local people, the arrival of the refugees has helped the whole community find a greater togetherness.

  • What to wear as the temperatures drop! Advice for refugees in Nagu.
    What to wear as the temperatures drop! Advice for refugees in Nagu

  • On New Year’s Eve the families from Afghanistan cook a traditional Afghan feast for the other residents in the Strandbo hotel.
    On New Years Eve the families from Afghanistan cook a traditional Afghan feast for the other residents in the Strandbo hotel.

  • Locals and guests release a lantern on the shores of Nagu.
    Locals and guests release a lantern on the shores of Nagu.

  • For many refugees, it is hard to leave behind the memories of what they have witnessed and who they have left behind or lost. The Finnish Red Cross and volunteers try their hardest to engage them with activities and reinforce the knowledge that they are welcome.
    For many refugees, it is hard to leave behind the memories of what they have witnessed and who they have left behind or lost. The Finnish Red Cross and volunteers try their hardest to engage them with activities and reinforce the knowledge that they are welcome.
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