The displaced Christians of Erbil, Iraq
A Iraqi Christian, who fled from his home because of Islamic State's advance earlier this year, walks beneath a cross erected inside the entrance hall of the unfinished Ankawa Shopping Mall which is now home to hundreds of displaced people in Erbil, Iraq, Dec. 8, 2014.
Although the autonomous Kurdistan region in northern Iraq was already a refuge for an estimated 250,000 Syrian refugees, since ISIS began its onslaught on Iraq in June, the number of refugees in Kurdistan has grown to more than one and a half million displaced people. Many have been placed in purpose-built refugee camps but the huge numbers mean thousands of others are forced to live in unfinished buildings or inadequate, makeshift shelters. As winter in the region closes in, there are growing concerns for the welfare of the refugees who, while their homes are still in ISIS controlled territory, have no realistic prospect of returning to them.
Christian refugees of ISIS
Iraqi Christians, who fled from their home because of Islamic State's advance earlier this year, fix a car at the entrance to a camp near Umm al-Nour Church in Erbil, Iraq, Dec. 8, 2014.
Christian refugees of ISIS
An Iraqi Christian, who fled from his home because of ISIS's advance earlier this year, poses for a photograph as he prepares hot food at the entrance to a camp near Umm al-Nour Church, in Erbil, Iraq.
Christian refugees of ISIS
Iraqi Christians, who fled from their homes because of ISIS advances earlier this year, operate a barbers shop inside the entrance hall of the unfinished Ankawa Shopping Mall.
Christian refugees of ISIS
Communion is taken during Mass at St Joseph's Cathedral in the Ankawa district of Erbil, Iraq.
Christian refugees of ISIS
Iraqi Christian children play at the entrance to a camp near Umm al-Nour Church in Erbil, Iraq.
Christian refugees of ISIS
A woman prays during Mass at St. Joseph's Cathedral in the Ankawa district of Erbil, Iraq.
Christian refugees of ISIS
An Iraqi Christian couple pose for a photograph inside their shelter constructed in the unfinished Ankawa Shopping Mall in Erbil, Iraq, Dec. 8, 2014.
Christian refugees of ISIS
A woman prays during Mass at St Joseph's Cathedral in the Ankawa district of Erbil, Iraq.
Christian refugees of ISIS
Choir members pray during Mass at St Joseph's Cathedral in the Ankawa district of Erbil, Iraq.
Christian refugees of ISIS
Children play in front of a statue the grounds of Mar Elias Catholic Church, in Ankawa, Erbil, Iraq.
Christian refugees of ISIS
An Iraqi Christian child wears a Santa hat as he plays in the grounds of Mar Elias Catholic Church, in Erbil, Iraq.
Christian refugees of ISIS
An Iraqi Christian, who fled from her home because of ISIS's advances earlier this year, hangs up washed clothes to dry at a displaced persons camp near Umm al-Nour Church, in Erbil, Iraq.
Christian refugees of ISIS
Worshippers gather for a service at St. Joseph's Cathedral in the Ankawa district of Erbil, which has become home to thousands of displaced Iraq Christians who were forced to flee their homes as Islamic State advanced earlier this year on December 7, 2014 in Erbil, Iraq.
Christian refugees of ISIS
Iraqi Christians, who fled from their homes because of Islamic State's advance earlier this year, walk around the unfinished Ankawa Shopping Mall in Erbil, Iraq.
Christian refugees of ISIS
An Iraqi Christian looks down from a upper floor of the unfinished Ankawa Shopping Mall which is now home to hundreds of displaced people in Erbil, Iraq, Dec. 8, 2014.
Christian refugees of ISIS
An Iraqi Christian prepares a chicken in a temporary shelter inside a warehouse at a camp near Umm al-Nour Church in Erbil, Iraq, Dec. 8, 2014.
Christian refugees of ISIS
Worshippers gather for a service at St. Joseph's Cathedral in the Ankawa district of Erbil, Iraq.
Although the autonomous Kurdistan region of Northern Iraq was already a refuge for an estimated 250,000 Syrian refugees, since ISIS began its onslaught on Iraq in June, Kurdistan has also taken in more than one and a half million displaced people.
Christian refugees of ISIS
An Iraqi Christian stands in the doorway of her temporary home at a camp near Umm al-Nour church in Erbil, Iraq.
Christian refugees of ISIS
Women light candles during Mass at St Joseph's Cathedral in the Ankawa district of Erbil, Iraq, Dec. 7, 2014.