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A daunting humanitarian crisis has gripped the world: 2015 draws to a close with the news that one million refugees and migrants from countries like Syria and Iraq that are experiencing relentless conflicts have fled to Europe for safety and a new start.

Every day, thousands of refugees are making the short, yet dangerous crossing of the Mediterranean and Aegean seas to southern Europe in inflatable rafts packed beyond capacity. The vast majority are landing on the islands of Greece.

Read refugees' stories from Greece in the International Rescue Committee's 'Uprooted" publication on Medium that reflect a year full of suffering — but at the same time reveal resilience, strength and survival.

Europe marks 1 million refugees