Children with no identity

The 1st place winner of the photography competition “Refugee Children; Iranian Hospitality”, jointly organised by the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance and UNICEF Iran.

Photographer: Abdollah Heidari
30 March 2023

This photo series depicts the experiences of Afghan refugees who have sought asylum in Iran over the past decades. Many of these individuals lack legal documentation to reside in Iran, which often presents challenges in accessing vital services such as education and healthcare. However, in recent years, notable initiatives have emerged to ensure these services are available to undocumented Afghan refugee children.

Presented below is the winning photo story titled "Children with No Identity," which secured first place in the 3rd photography competition jointly organized by the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance and UNICEF Iran, under the theme "Refugee children; Iranian hospitality.

A teenager without a birth certificate swings from a pole in a charitable educational environment.

1
Abdollah Heidari

An Iranian woman is going shopping with her children. Her husband is an Afghan immigrant.

2
Abdollah Heidari

Inside the house of an Afghan man and his Iranian wife

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Abdollah Heidari

A social worker consoles a 15-year-old Afghan refugee without an identity document.

4
Abdollah Heidari

Refugee boys and girls without identity documentation play games with their teacher in an educational charity centre.

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Abdollah Heidari

Refugee boys and girls without identity documentation carry their chairs to the classrooms in an educational charity centre.

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Abdollah Heidari

An 8-year-old refugee boy without identity documentation in an educational charity centre.

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Abdollah Heidari

A 9-year-old refugee girl without identity documentation looking at her teacher while she is tutoring her in an educational charity centre.

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Abdollah Heidari

A female teacher celebrates the birthday of one of her refugee students, who is undocumented, by giving her a dress.

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Abdollah Heidari

Few undocumented refugee children are playing in a neighbourhood in the suburb of Tehran.

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Abdollah Heidari