What you bring when you run for your life

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.

(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

(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.

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Anas Khaleel: The student and tiler said he grabbed his Samsung smartphone before fleeing Qaraqosh.

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Annosa Ishaac: The nurse brought her passport.

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Khidhir Badry: The tractor driver left with his picture of Jesus and Mary.

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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

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Najeeb Mansoor: The blacksmith remembered to grab his identity papers.

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Shony Franso: The housewife from Qaraqosh brought her jewelry.

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Rafo Polis: The retired teacher said besides his family, he brought nothing but his faith — his most treasured possession.

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