Aylan Kurdi's father Abdullah returns to the ruined homes of Kobani after burying his family
Images show the grieving 40-year-old being comforted by relatives
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Your support makes all the difference.The grieving father of Aylan Kurdi has been photographed on his return to life among the ruins of the Syrian city his family had hoped to escape.
Abdullah Kurdi’s three-year-old son Aylan was washed up on a beach in Turkey last week, sparking international outrage over the refugee crisis. His brother Galib and mother Rihan also drowned in the attempt to reach the Greek island of Kos.
They were all buried during a ceremony in Kobani on Friday after their bodies were repatriated by the Turkish authorities.
And this weekend, Mr Kurdi has been trying to adjust to a return to the home they left in hope of a better life.
Tima Kurdi, Abdullah’s sister who has lived in Canada for the past 20 years and lent him the money to try and make the Mediterranean crossing, said she still wanted to be united with the rest of her family in Vancouver.
“One day, I will bring him here,” she said. “He cannot be by himself there.”
But speaking to the Sunday Telegraph, Mr Kurdi said he had buried “his own soul” along with his family on Friday and that he no longer had any hopes for himself.
“Nothing can compensate me,” he said. “If you gave me the entire world, it isn’t worth a bit compared to the loss of my children. All I seek is that God gives me patience.”
“I was dreaming for my family and they have gone, so the dream has gone as well. I have buried my soul, feelings and mind in the grave.”
On Monday, David Cameron was prepared to set out details of the British government’s response to the refugee crisis, after the Prime Minister bowed to pressure on Friday and said the UK would provide homes for “thousands” more Syrian asylum-seekers.
George Osborne said the government preferred the option of going directly in to Syrian refugee camps to offer refuge to those most in need. “We don’t want to say to people that you can only have a home in Britain if you have made that dangerous journey across the Mediterranean,” he said.
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