What you bring when you run for your life

Displaced Iraqis pose with the one item they couldn't leave behind

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Kamil Abdulahad: The retired tanner says that besides his family, the one thing he could not leave behind as ISIS militants advanced on his home were his military service records.
(Image credit: (Matt Cardy/Getty Images)In those hasty last moments, there's no time to thougtfully pack a suitcase and get your house in order. In most cases, these refugees could grab only a few small ite)

Anwar Nassir: The drum maker said he had to leave most of the musical instruments he handcrafts behind when ISIS militants advanced on his town; after he ensured his family had safely departed, he was left with just a small motorbike t
(Image credit: (Matt Cardy/Getty Images)After speaking with Iraqi Christians at a refugee camp in Erbil, Iraq, photographer Matt Cardy created portraits of his subjects with the items they hold most dear. M)

Name unknown: A rosary was most important to this widowed housewife from Qaraqosh.
(Image credit: (Matt Cardy/Getty Images))

Anas Khaleel: The student and tiler said he grabbed his Samsung smartphone before fleeing Qaraqosh.
(Image credit: (Matt Cardy/Getty Images))

Annosa Ishaac: The nurse brought her passport.
(Image credit: (Matt Cardy/Getty Images))

Khidhir Badry: The tractor driver left with his picture of Jesus and Mary.
(Image credit: (Matt Cardy/Getty Images))

Fatin Atheer: The 6-year-old schoolgirl left her home with nothing but the clothes she was wearing. But, she asked her father every day for a replacement junior laptop like the one she was forced to leave behind. In December, her dad m
(Image credit: (Matt Cardy/Getty Images))

Najeeb Mansoor: The blacksmith remembered to grab his identity papers.
(Image credit: (Matt Cardy/Getty Images))

Shony Franso: The housewife from Qaraqosh brought her jewelry.
(Image credit: (Matt Cardy/Getty Images))

Rafo Polis: The retired teacher said besides his family, he brought nothing but his faith — his most treasured possession.
(Image credit: (Matt Cardy/Getty Images))

Sarah Eberspacher
Sarah Eberspacher

Sarah Eberspacher is an associate editor at TheWeek.com. She has previously worked as a sports reporter at The Livingston County Daily Press & Argus and The Arizona Republic. She graduated from Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism.