I was happy be selected as a finalist at this years WA Media Awards in the Best News Photograph category for my work on the Malaysian Airways MH370 search. I was on assignment for the Australian Associated Press for three weeks based at RAAF Pearce airbase, going on 10 hour long missions with the RAAF and RNZAF on their PC-3 Orion aircraft to the southern ocean as well as trying to gain pool access to the crews arriving back and numerous press conferences.
The search for Malaysia Airways MH370, which went missing whilst on a flight between Kuala Lumpur and Beijing on 8th March 2014, was the biggest international news story to descend on WA this year. RAAF Pearce became the epicentre of both search and media activities with dozens of news crews from all over the world camping out desperately waiting for any information as aircraft returned from the search area each evening.
One thing that impressed me the most was despite the fact they were often flying in bad weather and on a gruelling rotation system, the enthusiasm and expectation from the aircrews that wreckage would be found and the victims’ families could receive some sort of closure remained until the last flights. The aerial search was called off after weeks of searching and nothing being found and the disappearance of MH370 still remains a mystery.
A project I documented in the Solomon Islands last year for Caritas Australia on Disaster Risk Reduction has just won the UN’s inaugural Pacific Innovation and Leadership Award for Resilience. Well done to all involved..! To quote the press release, ‘the award encourages efforts in the private, public and not-for-profit sectors to develop innovative approaches to Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) in the Pacific.’
The story I did focused on Martina, the teacher who runs the Nursery Rhyme Program. Using well-known tunes and simple lyrics, children learn what to do in the event of potential disasters. “Nursery rhymes break down the fear associated with natural disasters, and also help children memorise the rhymes and the emergency response,” said Martina. “They enjoy the singing.”
Considering the devastating floods that hit the capital Honiara in April this year and the ever increasing intensity and regularity of these events, the program is essential. The Australian office was in contact with the schools straight after the floods and all children were accounted for.
It was my first time in the South Pacific and it lived up to and exceeded my expectations. Rich colours, beautiful oceans, lush green jungles and amazing people…..
The sea is a popular part of island life where people to go eat, drink and children play. Many villagers are settled close to the sea which are at risk of tsunamis and tidal surges with children being especially vulnerable during these events.
Primary school teacher Martina Kuibae (28) teaching songs and actions about what to do in a natural disaster whilst teaching the Natural Disaster Risk Management program run by Caritas Australia
Martina and her students role play running up hills to escape a flood.
Martina writing the words of a nursery rhyme about what to do in a Tsunami.
Children singing nursery rhymes about what to do in an emergency.
Martina helping (L-R) Feritas, Rose & Emily with drawing what they feel about natural disasters
A student draws a flood scene.
Children singing and dancing along to songs, taught by Primary school teacher Martina Kuibae (28), about what to do in a natural disaster during a Natural Disaster Risk Management program run by Caritas Australia
Children play in the river that runs through Tuvaruhu village in Honiara, the capital of the Solomon Islands. The river is often a focal point of village life where people wash, play and fish. The rivers flood regularly and present a danger to many inhabitants, especially children.
The majority of people in the Solomon Islands live a subsistence life, fishing and growing their own food on plots of land by their houses and make some money by selling their produce to local markets.
A general scene overlooking Honiara, the capital of the Solomon Islands. Many of the houses are built on crowded hill sides from local materials making them susceptible to landslides during times of flooding, cyclones and earthquakes.
A child playing on Kakabona Beach in Honiara, the capital of the Solomon Islands.
Last November I had the chance to return to Burma (Myanmar) for Australian NGO Act for Peace to do a story on how local human rights workers are fighting for the rights of their communities. Illegally recruited child soldiers, human trafficking, slave labour, land confiscation and corruption are just some of the issues they deal with on a daily basis, often at great personal risk.
Life is rapidly changing in Burma however it still faces many challenges. Below are some images and a video looking at the ongoing yet slowly improving situation of the illegal recruitment of child soldiers in Burma. (All names have been changed)
Far from prying eyes on an isolated chicken farm in the Irrawaddy Delta, five hours drive south of the Burmese capital Rangoon, a group of boys sway in hammocks, smoke, talk and check their mobile phones. Their conversation however is unlike most teenagers, as these rescued child soldiers share stories of brutality, slave labour, beatings, torture and fear at the hands of the Burmese National Army.
All were kidnapped, sold or tricked into joining the army and endured years of confinement before finally being released with the help of local human rights workers, dedicated to rescuing child soldiers and fighting other human rights abuses in Burma.
Arun standing with other child soldiers who have escaped the Burmese Army. They were all illegally tricked into joining the army when aged 14-16 years old. Most spent over 2 years in the army and were badly treated.
Khin was 14 when his uncle sold him into the army for just $200 and a bag of rice. After the first two days he tried to escape but was recaptured, imprisoned and beaten by the officers.
For over a year, his family desperately tried to find him and had almost given up hope until they were introduced to May Lyan, a community organiser with the Myanmar Council of Churches who specialises in securing release papers for child soldiers.
Despite Burma recognising that the recruitment of child soldiers is illegal (it signed a joint action plan with the UN in June 2012 to end the use of underage recruits) it took May Lyan over 8 months working with lawyers and other NGO’s such as the International Labour Organisation to secure Khin’s release. He had no contact with his family for most of his 2 years in the army and was just about to be sent to the front line when his papers came through and he was able to return home.
Khin is now working on the family farm and his emotional father, still traumatised by the sudden disappearance and treatment his son received said, “I have never controlled my son but I will never let him join the army again. I want him to live with the family for ever.”
Khin (18) was 14 and living in the Irrawaddy Delta region when his uncle sold him into the Burmese Army for $200 and a bag of rice. He ran away after 2 days but was caught, put in the army prison and beaten. He had to spend over 2 years in the army.
The use of child soldiers remain a controversial issue within both the Burmese Army and the numerous ethnic group militias. There are an estimated 5,000 child soldiers still active in the Burmese Army. The government has said they would demobilise them but progress has been slow.
Khin pictured with Myanmar Council of Churches Community Organiser Naw May Lyan who helped secure his release and his father who spent two years looking for him.
Since the 2012 agreement, the army have released over 270 underage recruits but an estimated 5,000 child soldiers are still believed to serve not only in the Burmese Army, the Tatmadaw, but also in the numerous rebel groups that have been fighting the government for the past 65 years.
Life is quickly changing in Burma with free and fair elections being held in April 2012, a less censored press and increasing international trade opportunities. However, there are number of issues that are still taboo for the government, such as child soldiers, human trafficking and corruption. These are the issues that the 20 community organisers such as May Lyan and Mon Tome Sein deal with on a daily basis, often at great personal risk.
The Community Organisers are volunteers, driven to help their community overcome the daily injustices that they encounter. May Lyan, who has been a community organiser for 4 years said, “I’m helping out people who are victims of injustice. This is what I do for a living and I am passionate about it. I manage cases of child soldiers, child and human trafficking, land grabs, everything that is related to the violation of human rights. I also hold training sessions open to the entire community so everyone can learn about their rights. Because when you know your rights, you can stand up against abuse.”
Naw May Lyan (46) is a Community Organiser (CO) for the The Myanmar Council of Churches and now lives in Yangon. She has been a CO for 4 years and has dealt with issues such as child soldiers, land confiscation and labour disputes.
Mahn Tome (59) has been a Community Organiser (CO) for the The Myanmar Council of Churches for over 4 years. He said, “I will continue to work for human rights in Myanmar. If someones rights has been abused or exploited then I will stand up for that person. “
Another child soldier that May Lyan is helping is Sein, who is still awaiting his release papers and lives in fear of being caught by the police or army. A decision to escape a violent home sealed his fate. Sein explained, “I was 15 years old when I volunteered for the army. I was living at home and my step dad was an alcoholic who beat me so I decided to run away. A friend suggested that we should go to the army because they would look after us.
I immediately knew I had made a bad decision but had to stay in for 3 years. During that time I ran away twice. The first time I had to hide in streams and couldn’t contact my parents in case the army caused trouble for my family and tried to recapture me. I was on the run for two years and became a tricycle rider and sold coal. If I thought the army was following me I would change location and job so I moved from town to town.
I was eventually caught and they put into the army prison and they tortured me. They tied my arms and legs together and made me kneel on stones. They then beat me 125 times. I will never forget that number. The officers also drew a tattoo onto my arm against my will. “
Whilst on the run, Sein’s parents contacted MCC Community Organiser Naw May Lyan who helped locate him and made his case known to the International Labour Organisation. He has been let out of the army and has a Protection Letter from the ILO but has still not been officially released from the army, so he is afraid he could be picked up and forced to return. May Lyan continues to fight for his release papers.
Sein was 15 when he volunteered with a friend for the Burmese Army after running away from an abusive home due to his stepdads drinking. He had to spend 3 years in the army and during that time he escaped twice.
Sein was tortured by the officers who also tattooed his arm as punishment.
Arun, who was 16 at the time, was manipulated into joining the army. He said, ” I was 16 years old and always wanted to be a driver. I was approached by a guy who offered me a job as a driver and said I could work for him, so I went. He then took me to the army and I had to stay for two years. ”
Arun spent most of his time as slave labour on an army farm. He said, ” I didn’t have to fight but had to work on the army farm which was very hard work. We had to work 7 days a week and sometimes at night. They didn’t provide us with any food so we had to find our own food and steal vegetables from the garden. I was beaten by officers and treated badly. There were many other children there, some much younger than me. I pity the children who were younger and beaten and put in the jail on the army base. ”
His sister eventually tracked him down and asked a community organiser to help secure his release. He is now working as a ticket collector on a bus and still dreams of being a driver but the trauma of his time in the army still deeply affects him. He said, ” I’m still afraid of the police and the army. I don’t feel secure and feel they could capture me again at any time.”
Arun didn’t have to fight but had to work on the army farm, 7 days a week and wasn’t given any food. He and the other child soldiers were regality beaten and abused by the officers. He wasn’t able to contact his family for the first year.
The rate of recruitment of child soldiers has dramatically reduced and the government is slowly becoming more open about the issue, even co sponsoring billboards around the country warning parents of the dangers. However, with thousands of children still in the ranks, the need for community organisers remains as strong as ever.
A Government and NGO sponsored billboard on the road into Yangon about stopping child soldiers joining the army.
I haven’t entered a photography competition for a while so I was pleased to see that an image that particularly resonates with me from an assignment in Jordan earlier this year to report on the Syrian refugee crises made the finals of two competitions.
I’ve blogged about this picture in my assignment review and it remains one of my strongest images from Jordan so I’m happy that members of the public and judges have reacted to it in a positive way and has given the refugee situation in Syria even more coverage. I only spent about 45 minutes with Ala and Zeena but their quiet dignity, devotion to their family and resilience to the horrendous situation they found themselves in was humbling. For me they break every stereotype of a refugee that some would have you believe.
The caption for the competition read:-
‘We fled Syria across the border into Jordan and could only carry this suitcase with a few clothes and food for the baby. It was cold and dangerous, I cannot explain how awful it’s been for the children,’ explains Zeena (26) from a room in Amman where her family now struggles to survive. They fled Homs after their house and bakery were destroyed during fighting.”
Alaâa (29), Zeena (26), Ammer (4) & Mohammed (1) fled Homs a month ago and are now living in this single room in Amman. Like all other refugees they only managed to bring what they could carry over the border, so they arrived with just some baby food, nappies and their clothes in this suitcase and are now struggling to survive. They had a family bakery business making bread and sweets back in Homs but they were forced to flee after the bakery and their house were destroyed. They also didn't feel safe due to an increase in kidnappings.
Whilst Za’atari camp may be the most reported on aspect of the Syrian refugee crisis, the vast majority of refugees who have fled to Jordan try and survive in the urban concrete jungle of Amman and neighboring cities.
Sheltering in cold airless basements or unfurnished rooms, they are often hidden away and reliant on family contacts and the good will of the host community.
One of the worst situations I witnessed whilst on assignment for aid agency Act for Peace was a cold, ground floor bare concrete shell of a room, dimly lit by a single light that was home to 17 people, including Zahra and her 4 children. Zahra shared this cramped space with two other female relatives and their children, who had all lost their husbands to the war in Syria. It was hard to imagine how difficult it must be living in these conditions, trying to bring up young children.
Zahra with her son living in a room with 15 other people in Amman.
Many households have lost their husbands in the fighting like these families totalling 17 people, mostly youngsters, who now live together out of economic necessity and safety in this single room in East Amman, They fled the southern Syrian city of Daara after their houses were destroyed and their husbands killed in the fighting.
Zahra fled after her house was bombed and her husband killed in front of her. She explained, “ Bombs were coming down from the air and someone said, ’Your husband, your husband! ’ We looked back and then we were sure my husband was killed. I saw him in front of my eyes. The other women said about 50-80 people were dead. There were abductions of women, abductions of children, abductions of men and because of the fear and the terror, we left.”
Layla (6) Fadi (5) sleeping surrounded by their relatives and other families.
Najwa (27) comforts her son Yousif (1).
They arrived in Jordan with nothing except their clothes and found this room through a family friend and are surviving with help from neighbours and assistance from aid agencies like Act for Peace who have supplied blankets, floor mats and food items.
Zahra with her son Hatim (1.7) & daughter Najwa (7) holding onto blankets donated by the IOCC (International Orthodox Christian Charities
For aid agencies, finding out exactly where these refugees are living is complicated as there is no central registration system so Act for Peace and their partners have formed a series of local committees made up of both Jordanians and Syrian refugees who work together to identify the most vulnerable newly arrived refugees in their communities and find out what their most urgent needs are.
Most arrive with nothing so clothes, blankets, rugs, hygiene and cooking kits are essential. The biggest problem they then face is paying the ever increasing rents.
These committees also look out for vulnerable Jordanian families. In a country that is straining under the burden of such a dramatic influx of refugees, ensuring the host community does not feel threatened or disadvantaged is essential, so conflict sensitive aid distribution is a crucial element of any program implementation.
The IOCC (International Orthodox Christian Charities) distributing floor rugs to Syrian refugees living within the host community in the northern city of Mafraq which is close to the Syrian border.
The IOCC (International Orthodox Christian Charities) distributing floor rugs to Syrian refugees living within the host community in the northern city of Mafraq which is close to the Syrian border.
Zahra’s story is unfortunately far from unique. Every family we met had similar harrowing stories and faced the same hardships. Many refugees arrive with horrific injuries, making their lives even more complicated, like Zahy, who is a blacksmith by trade. He and his family fled Babr Amr near Homs after bombing and fighting destroyed their home. Zahy was injured by shrapnel whilst looking for food and was then shot 3 times in the same leg by snipers shortly after.
They once led a comfortable life with a good business, car and house but they left with nothing and are now sheltering in a small apartment in Russeifa, 15km NW of the capital Amman. His wife Nisreen said, “So how would you feel, you were in a country very comfortable and now, you can’t find anything. When we first came, there was no heater. The kids used to complain about the cold a lot. There aren’t enough blankets. There’s no gas for cooking. There’s nothing.”
Zahy (31) with his wife Nisreen (31) and their children Kenan (6), Lilyan (7) & Yousef (1.7 mnths) sheltering in a small apartment in Russeifa, 15km NW of of the capital Amman, Jordan having fled their home in Babr Amr, a district of Homs, a town north of the Syrian capital Damascus.
Kenan (6), Lilyan (7) & Yousef (1.7 mnths) play outside their small apartment in Russeifa. They have no TV and don't go to school so get bored easily.
Then there are the people who have deep trauma such as Ala. After his father was shot, he became the sole breadwinner on the family’s fruit and veg store but like many people his age, he was taken by the Syrian police and tortured. Four months later he was dumped on the steps outside his home a broken man.
His mother Muna explains, “He’s 25 years old. I don’t know why they took him, they took a lot of people. Not just my son. Lots of people. The people, they return them dead. They put him in front of the house and he was nearly dead. He screams sometimes and he cries. He hits his own head. He’s not able to speak. He screams at night and doesn’t sleep. “
Muna said he used to be such a lively intelligent boy but he hasn’t spoken a word since and is terrified every time someone arrives, thinking they are about to take him away again. They have sought shelter in a Palestinian refugee camp on the outskirts of Amman which is one of the cheapest places to find accommodation. They have received non food items from Act for Peace partners, the neighbours are helping out and her two eldest sons wash cars and earn about 3USD a day but it isn’t enough to survive. Muna said she hasn’t paid any rent and is living off the good will of the owner.
Ala (25) was taken by the Syrian army for 4 months and tortured. He was eventually dumped back outside his family home. He used to work in a factory making drapes but is now severely traumatised and unable to communicate or work. He hasn't spoken since he returned and wakes up screaming and hits his head.
Muna (40) with her sons, L-R Fadi (7), Ala (25), Basheer (5) & Hussien (6 ) in a small apartment in Russeifa, 15km NW of of the capital Amman, Jordan. They fled their home town of Daara in southern Syria 3 months ago after their house was bombed.
What really brought home the human cost of the Syrian conflict was the simplicity of seeing a tattered old suitcase that contained the entire possessions of a family.
Like all other refugees, Ala’a (29), Zeena (26), Ammer (4) & Mohammed (1) only managed to bring what they could carry across the border, so they arrived with just some baby food, nappies and their clothes in this suitcase. An ordinary, hard working family who once had their own bakery business, a family home, a car, who enjoyed holidays and had hopes for the future for themselves and their children but ended up having their entire lives destroyed during the conflict.
Alaâa (29), Zeena (26), Ammer (4) & Mohammed (1) fled Homs a month ago and are now living in this single room in Amman. Like all other refugees they only managed to bring what they could carry over the border, so they arrived with just some baby food, nappies and their clothes in this suitcase and are now struggling to survive. They had a family bakery business making bread and sweets back in Homs but they were forced to flee after the bakery and their house were destroyed. They also didn't feel safe due to an increase in kidnappings.
They have been in East Amman one month living in this room. Zeena said, “We are happy we are settled here with nothing threatening us. I’m not really against Assad or even for the rebels. I just want a safe life. We just want to live in peace and security.”
I asked them if they ever expected they would be in this situation. The both looked at each and laughed. Zeena told me they had seen the demonstrations on TV but never thought it would effect them directly. They never thought they’d end up as refugees.
Alaâa (29), Zeena (26), Ammer (4) & Mohammed (1) fled Homs a month ago and are now living in this single room in Amman. They hope to return home one day.
She went on to say, “If it’s secure we shall return to Syria. Our house is destroyed so we will have to start from the beginning but I’d rather go back.”
These are just some of the many individual stories of people affected by the violent conflict in Syria who need assistance. Ordinary people who are now trying to survive in an extraordinary situation.
For further information or to make a donation to the appeal please visit the Act for Peace website here.
In March this year when on assignment in Jordan for aid agency Act for Peace there was much press coverage on the millionth refugee to have fled Syria. Less than six months on the deplorable milestone of two million refugees has now hit the headlines.
The devastating impact on everyday Syrians can be seen most visually in the harsh desert refugee camp of Za’atari. Now hosting up to 120,000 people, it’s the second biggest refugee camp in the world and within just two years it’s become the fourth biggest centre of population in Jordan.
Children run between between tents in Za'atari refugee camp in northern Jordan close to the border of Syria. It's fast becoming one of the largest refugee camps in the world.
A young girl inside her tent in Za'atari refugee camp. Women and children make up over half the population of the camp.
Conditions in the camp are brutal. In the summer temperatures soar over 40c and in winter the nights are freezing. An interminable wind whips up a clingy white dust that results in chronic respiratory and eye conditions.Millions of litres of water have to be trucked in everyday and bread and other essentials are often in short supply, leading to regular riots. Whole extended families sleep together in row upon row of tents with privacy non-existent. Boredom and fear of the future has replaced a life they have left behind.
A young girl carries filled water bottles collected from a water storage tank in Za'atari refugee camp. One of the biggest issues in the camp is the availability of fresh clean drinking water.
People walk between closely pitched tents in Za'atari refugee camp.
Young friends from the southern Syrian city of Daara eat together in a tent in Za'atari refugee camp. They all left at different times but have now rejoined together in the camp. 'We have come here to secure our families and then we will go back to Syria to fight and kill. I swore I would return to fight.'
Aid agencies like Act for Peace and UNHCR are doing their best to provide the basics such as shelter, food, water and medical support but with a shortfall of funding and thousands of people arriving everyday, trying to meet their needs is extremely challenging.
Filling in the gaps are entrepreneurs who line the main street selling goods and services from ice creams, to electric fans to haircuts, all of which is encouraged by the camp management to help create a sense of ownership and community.
A Syrian refugee waits in line with his sick son at a crowded medical centre run by the Moroccan Army in Za'atari refugee camp.
Abdullah (51) (back left) from the southern Syrian city of Daara with his family in a shelter in Za'atari refugee camp where he lives with 14 members of his family. They have been here for over a year . He said, 'My house was bombed and we left Syria with only the clothes we are wearing now. We just want the President to go away so we can go back to farming in Daara. I have two sons fighting with the FSA. I was jailed for 1 month and 10 days and was beaten. They burnt my car and destroyed my house.'
A young boy pushes his sick mother across rocky ground at a crowded medical centre run by the Moroccan Army in Za'atari refugee camp.
Yacoub (38) & Hammad (26) from the southern Syrian city of Daara were hairdressers back home before having to flee 5 months ago. They charges JD1 ($0.78) for a haircut. Yacoub said 'I like working as I now do not have to ask for help and can support my family.'
What shocked me the most is the lack of law and order in the camp. There are Jordanian police on the gates and patrolling the perimeter but this is a closed camp so leaving requires special permission, bribery or the occasional good will of the gatekeepers. Police rarely venture into the camp itself and when they do it‘s often in riot gear and armoured vehicles. You get all the social problems of criminality and gender based violence you’d get in any big city but this is exacerbated by the containment and hopelessness of the situation.
The sprawling Za'atari refugee camp.
Abrahim (23) from the southern Syrian city of Daara who arrived in Za'atari refugee camp to receive medical treatment for shrapnel wounds to his body and head. Abrahim was imprisoned for 7 months and his father for 5 months. They both are waiting to recover and want to get back to Syria to continue fighting. He said, 'We are going to take down the President. I just want to be well enough to fight again.'
Working as a photographer and shooting video in this environment certainly has its challenges. Out of all the refugee camps I’ve worked in over the years, Za’atari is one of the most chaotic and confrontational I’ve been to. There’s an underlying air of tension as people try and eke out whatever existence they can. If you drive, your vehicle is usually stoned. If you walk, an angry group often mobs you, venting their frustrations and asking for assistance.
Then you have the children, scarred by unimaginable experiences, who express their frustrations and confusion through violent actions. Zaher, a Jordanian who works with a partner agency and I had just finished interviewing a family and were about to leave when a group of children came up to us asking for pictures. One young boy alternated between being very happy and smiling then quickly becoming very aggressive and back again. Sensing that the situation was escalating with more people crowding around us and quickly becoming out of control we decided to leave. As stones started being thrown at us, we walked towards the main road. Now surrounded by an angry crowd, Zaher started translating some of what was being said, none of which was encouraging. Then some random guy saunters up to us, chatting away in English, asking where we were from as if nothing was happening. This seemed to have a calming effect on everyone as the crowd disappeared as quickly as it had formed.
It was a tragic example of how children are bearing the brunt of this conflict, their erratic behavior a symptom of the trauma they have experienced and the insecurity of their current existence.
Many children are traumatised by what they have seen.
The UN estimates that of all the refugees, one million of them are children, with most being under the age of 11.
This is why, along with supplying hygiene kits and blankets and food parcels, Act for Peace and their partners are supplying school uniforms so children can attend the UNICEF run school in the camp. The uniforms not only enable them to continue their education but they also bring some sense of normality to what is a chaotic and frightening time.
One of those students I met was 16 year old Hana, a very energetic and bright girl who had to flee her town of Daara in the south of Syria. She was telling me about how her home was destroyed by artillery during fighting and members of her family were kidnapped and tortured. Like most refugees, she had an incredibly dangerous and traumatic journey to reach safety in Jordan.
For the past year she has been living in this tent in Zaatari camp with her mum and dad, 4 brothers and two sisters with no hope of returning anytime soon.
Hana wants to become a doctor and she told me ‘We all go to school even with the difficulties that we suffered here. What makes me stronger to study is so I can return to my country and build it for the future.’
Hana (16), who fled her home town of Daara in southern Syria after her house was bombed and some of her relatives tortured, standing outside a tent in Za'atari refugee camp in northern Jordan where she lives with her family of mother and father, 4 sisters and 2 brothers.
Education is a long term peace building strategy and UNICEF warns that there is fast becoming a “lost generation” of child refugees ill-equipped to help rebuild Syria in the future. So when the fighting stops, Syria will face huge challengers to rebuild itself so an educated younger generation like Hana will be essential to enable that to happen.
For further information or to make a donation to the appeal please visit the Act for Peace website here.
A young girl outside her tent in Za'atari refugee camp in northern Jordan close to the border of Syria.
As part of my ongoing project looking at how separation walls in intractable conflicts such as Northern Ireland, Cyprus and Israel/Palestine, contribute to being both physical and psychological barriers to a positive peace, I’m very happy that the section on the Israel-Palestine Separation Barrier is being exhibited at the Australia National University in Canberra as part of the Human Rights in Palestine Conference 2013. There are some excellent speakers lined up and I’m sure it will create some intense discussions.
If you’d like to see the exhibition it’s running from September 11-12th at the ANU Commons centre and is open to the public.
Physically separating conflicted communities continues to be a policy decision by many governments around the world in an attempt to curb violence. These separation walls become highly politicised and are a physical manifestation of failed policies to overcome the root causes of each of these conflicts.
One of the most controversial of these recent structures is the Separation Barrier between Israel and Palestine. Over ten years of construction, it has created ‘facts on the ground’ that have dramatically impacted Palestinian society and its economy. Israel states the barrier is there for security reasons and was built in response to a spate of suicide bombings in Israel. The Palestinians say it’s a de facto border and land grab.
Approximately 15% of the wall will be built along the internationally recognised Green Line with the remaining 85% built inside the West Bank resulting in some of the most fertile land and water sources becoming almost inaccessible to Palestinian farmers and communities.
The wall separates Israel from Palestine but it also runs directly through many Palestinian communities, dividing families and economically severing once sustainable businesses.
It’s not only the physical wall that has become a barrier to rights of passage. A complicated and bureaucratic permit system also stops thousands of Palestinians daily movements, severely impacting access to farm land that lie on the ‘wrong’ side of the wall or to employment opportunities within Israel.
Whilst these physical barriers arguably may provide short term gains in security, they are ineffective as long term solutions to creating a sustainable positive peace. Whilst resolutions to the conflicts are sought, the most affected by these policies are the people who live in their shadow, their lives are shaped by their presence, creating both deep physical and psychological challenges for residents.
The impact of the wall on a personal level can be seen in this exhibition through personal testimony from Palestinians who suffer the daily indignity of having to pass through the overcrowded check points, lost hours of productivity waiting for gates to open, the high unemployment rates within the West Bank and the frequent demonstrations against the wall.
The exhibition forms part of an ongoing project looking at how separation walls in intractable conflicts such as Northern Ireland, Cyprus and Israel-Palestine, contribute to being both physical and psychological barriers to a positive peace.
However, for some communities these walls provide the desired protection and a reassuring knowledge that they are separated from ‘the other’, whom they have come to fear. It many cases these walls were quickly constructed during times of violence. They may end up being one of the last structures to come down to enable peace.
One of my pictures from South Sudan shot for Cafod has been recognised as a Nominee at the 6th Annual Photography Masters Cup. I was more than happy about this as South Sudan is one of those places that gets under your skin and you just want to revisit.
The picture shows Mercy (12) who collects water for her family every morning and evening from a borehole installed by Cafod. Fresh clean drinking water is one of the many challengers facing the Republic of South Sudan, the newest nation on earth.
Before the new borehole was placed within her community of St Cecilia, home to over 400 households or approx 3.000 people, Mercy would have spent hours walking miles to gather water , impacting her ability to attend school and her future.
Caritas Australia who I’ve worked with a number of times have launched their 2013 Project Compassion profiles which showcase outstanding examples of how development can initiate positive change for individuals and communities.
I was lucky enough to report on one such person called Raymundo (24) in Bolivia. An incredibly energetic and charismatic guy whose life story is an inspiration to many underprivileged children in his home town of Cochabamba. Having a difficult start in life he has gone from street child with addiction issues to gaining a degree at University and a passion for helping others who face the same problems he managed to overcome.
This was made possible through a local NGO called Educar es Fiesta (Education is Celebration) a circus school for vulnerable children who rescued him from the streets and gave direction to his life. He is now a teacher there and has gained a celebrity like status with the children..!
I was only with him for a few hours so below are some pictures and short video produced by Caritas Australia which gives you an insight into his inspiring life…
Raymundo Ramos (22) has been with Educar es Fiesta, a circus school based in Cochabamba, Bolivia since the age of 9. Here he is teaching children acting and circus skills on the roof of Wasy Tukuypaj.
The Educar es Fiesta centre called Wasy Tukuypaj which means 'House of All' in local Quecha language in San Francisco area of Ushpa Ushpa. The town of 50,000 people has a large migrant population so many of the children have never grown up with their parents. They located here due to the high number of parentless children.
Educar es Fiesta which means Education is Celebration is a circus school based in Cochabamba, Bolivia. Its primary role is to assist children at risk though the prevention of violence against children. It runs circus and art classes and education lessons for children aged 8-16. They also work with parents and teachers informing them about child rights. Over 1,500 children have participated in the program since 1999.
The Walk as One, Connecting with our World’s Indigenous Peoples, campaign and documentary film was successfully launched in Sydney by Caritas Australia a few weeks ago. I thought I’d write a quick ‘behind the scenes’ post about what equipment I used, what went right, what went wrong etc etc. I’ve always found reading about these things informative so hopefully someone else may be able to pick up a few ideas/tips.
There is a huge amount of information on indigenous rights on the website so if you’re interested in these issues please click here.
This was the first assignment I’ve done where the intent from the outset was to produce a short documentary. On other assignments such as South Sudan, Uganda, Bangladesh the filming came secondary to the stills so the approach to this project was different in a number of ways in terms of planning, logistics and preparation. It was also the first time I’d be part of a team with Alex from Caritas producing and writing the final policy report travelling with me and a dedicated editor, James Bradley who did an excellent job and Cam Mackellar who created the unique soundtrack which just lifts the whole production. There were also translators, policy people, communications staff and everyone else involved with launching a big campaign.
The trip involved two 4 day visits to Beswick, a remote community about 150km south of Katherine in the Northern Territories and a two week trip to Bolivia taking in not only the project focus of the Yuracare community in the Bolivian Amazon region but also other Caritas funded projects which provided some excellent B-roll.
I’ve always been a Canon man so below is the equipment list I used:-
Canon 5D Mk 11
Canon 1D Mk 4
Canon 24-70 2.8L
Canon 70-200 Mk 11 2.8L
Canon 24mm 1.4L
Canon 50mm 1.2L
Zacuto Z-Finder Pro x3
Manfrotto 055cx3
Manfrotto 701 HDV Head
Singh Ray 77mm ND Filter
Singh Ray 77mm ND Filter Thin (for wide angles)
Zoom H4N Audio Recorder
Audio Technica AT8531 Lav Mic
Sennheiser MK400 Shotgun Mic
Sony MDR-7506 Headphones
3 x 500GB G-Drive HD
8 x 16GB CF Cards
Macbook Pro 2.8GHz I7 8GB 750GB HD
Plural eyes to synch audio
FCP 7
So what were the challengers ? In many ways filming and creating a picture essay are very similar in the sense your creating a story. However the approach is quite different. Shooting stills is a much more natural, observed way of working where you often just let things happen. With filming, you have to be much more methodical, pre visualising shots and sequences, directing the subjects at certain times with multiple takes. As a photojournalist this originally felt quite unnatural and contrived but necessary to make the film flow. Using a tripod for many shots also took some getting used to as I’d never owned a tripod before shooting video but they are absolutely necessary. I did shoot some handheld when motion was obvious like in the car but otherwise it was locked down. Audio is always a tricky one and a bit of a juggling act running a duel system but it does work well. I record all critical interviews on the Zoom and lav mic and collect as much ambient as possible. When you know that you just need a trace of ambient and the situation is moving I’ll use either the in camera mic or the shotgun mic top mounted. It would be great to have a dedicated audio person as the audio is equally if not more important than the visuals but budgets often don’t allow this.
Logistically, the biggest issue we had was the shoot in the Bolivian Amazon was cut from a proposed 5 days to just 2.5 days due to funerals, weather, logistics. That could have been a major problem but you can only get what you are given. You just have to readjust the plan and make the most of it however frustrating it may seem at the time.
Technical issues included my 5D melting in the heat and overuse half way through the Bolivia trip. The main board just fried due to the heat/humidity and wouldn’t film for more than 5 seconds. It still took stills but video was out. That meant I had to switch to the 1D which I hadn’t used for filming at all. However, having used this line of camera for years I very quickly got used to it which is partly why the transition from shooting stills to video using these cameras has been relatively smooth. You’re just so familiar with the equipment.
What would my recommendations to anyone about to start filming be…
-Prepare for the worst, back all your equipment up on every level in case something like, your camera melts..!..so you can continue in remote locations. At the time it seemed unnecessary to buy that 1D Mk4 Zacuto conversion kit for $100. However, it was probably the best money I’ve spent as it meant I could continue shooting seamlessly. Without it, it would have been a major issue trying to film by just looking at the back screen..almost impossible to do in a fluid and bright light situation..!
-Keep lots of spare batteries on you in the bag. Not back in your room where they are pretty useless..!
-Plan and prepare a script as much as possible and then prepare for it to all change. Adapt. Shoot everything you see. You can never have enough b-roll.
-Shoot from as many different angles as possible to give the editor the best chance of good cuts.
-Audio is absolutely crucial. As, if not more important than the images. Audio is still a foreign concept to me and most photographers so it’s by far the biggest challenge, not least running a duel system by yourself which is always a challenge.
-Remember to collect as much ambient sound as possible. I sometimes forget and regret not recording even just 10 seconds of ambient which can really lift the quality of the film.
-Always think about that 3 shot sequence. Wide, medium, detail to make editing easier.
-Be really careful when changing lenses. Dust on the sensor is easy to fix in stills. On video, it can be a nightmare..!
-Have lots of CF cards. Interviews and long sequences can eat up the memory no end.
-Power bars and water. When the pressure is on, it’s 38c, humid, mosquitoes, nothing is going right, your equipment fails etc etc the last thing you need to be is hungry and thirsty. Look after yourself and the team.
-Leave plenty of time. Filming takes an enormous amount of time and resources so prepare and plan for that.
I love the challenge of experimenting with new media and equipment and I’m happy with the final result. You learn by your mistakes and I’m continually looking at DSLR training sites/blogs etc for new ideas and tips to improve. Now I’m just looking forward to the next opportunity..!!
A last minute email from the Burmese government stating I’ve been granted an official press pass even though the elections are in 5 days, a few beers with photographers in Perth that night encouraging me to go..8 hours later catching a flight to Bangkok to pick up a visa arriving in Rangoon (Yangon) 8am on Saturday. No sleep, little research and first time in Burma so challenging but not unusual for a news story.
Luckily found an english speaking driver who knew the story so headed straight to the National League for Democracy (NLD), Aung San Suu Kyi’s party, in Rangoon for some info then a crazy 3 hour drive following her energetic supporters to her chosen constituency in Kawhmu south west of Rangoon.
Had to return that night to recharge batteries etc as totally unprepared for an overnight so in hotel at 11.30pm and gone again at 2.30am. Lots of local and international press at her house to see Aung San Suu Kyi leave to meet her supporters at 7am and another frantic 4 hours as she visited polling booths around Kawhmu.
Leaving the media circus it was time to concentrate on the elections themselves visiting voting stations throughout Kawhmu and Rangoon. Media restrictions stated you could not photograph within 500 yards of a polling station but after visiting more than 20 I found two that due to local officials who either didn’t understand the law or decided it wasn’t appropriate (I hope it was the latter) let me in to document Burmese people voting in only the third election to be held in Burma in the last 50 years. Quite a moment for all which was embraced by young and old.
As far as I could see it seemed very well organised, consistent throughout each station and transparent. This was obviously only a very surface and brief view of the elections so lets hope that nothing untoward comes to light over the next few days. If the official results confirm what the NLD are stating then it has been a resounding victory for them and Aung San Suu Kyi. The future of Burma is now in many ways as unpredictable yet optimistic as it has been for many years…….
National League for Democracy (NLD) leader Aung San Suu Kyi surrounded by her party aides leaves her home in Rangoon (Yangon) to travel down to Kawhmu on the eve of the by-election.
National League for Democracy (NLD) supporters travel from Rangoon (Yangon) to Kawhmu, south west of Rangoon (Yangon) where their leader Aung San Suu Kyi is standing in the by-election.
Villagers along the road show support for NLD supporters travelling from Rangoon (Yangon) to Kawhmu, south west of Rangoon (Yangon).
NLD supporters travel on a bus with a painting of Aung San Suu Kyi and her late father Aung San.
An NLD supporter welcomes Aung Sun Suu Kyi to Kawhmu.
Thousands of NLD supporters descend on Kawhmu on the eve of the by-elections.
National League for Democracy (NLD) supporters travel from Rangoon (Yangon) to Kawhmu, south west of Rangoon (Yangon) where their leader Aung San Suu Kyi is standing in the by-election.
On election day flanked by her security guards NLD leader Aung San Suu Kyi visits a polling station in Kawhmu, south west of Rangoon (Yangon) where she is standing in the by-election.
A journalist falls trying to follow the Aung San Suu Kyi convoy. Despite some written restrictions the press had relative freedom to report
Aung San Suu Kyi visiting a polling station.
Voters in Natsingone High School in Kawhmu south west of Rangoon (Yangon) check their names are on the voting list during the by-elections.
Voters in Natsingone High School in Kawhmu south west of Rangoon (Yangon) check their names are on the voting list during the by-elections.
A ballot paper in Natsingone High School in Kawhmu south west of Rangoon (Yangon) during the by-elections.
A woman places her vote with the assistance of an official in Natsingone High School in Kawhmu south west of Rangoon (Yangon) during the by-elections.
A woman places her vote watched by party observers in one of the many schools used as polling stations in Kawhmu south west of Rangoon (Yangon) during the by-elections.
A man places his vote in one of the many schools used as polling stations in Kawhmu south west of Rangoon (Yangon) during the by-elections.
Officials taking out the ballot papers from the ballot boxes in Mingalar Tuang Nyunt Township in Rangoon (Yangon) following the by-elections.
A large crowd in Mingalar Tuang Nyunt Township in Rangoon (Yangon) outside the ballot counting station wait in anticipation as the results start coming in following the by-elections.
An official shows an empty ballot box to the large crowd gathered to hear the results of the by-election in Mingalar Tuang Nyunt Township in Rangoon (Yangon) following the by-elections.
A large crowd in Mingalar Tuang Nyunt Township in Rangoon (Yangon) outside the ballot counting station wait in anticipation as the results start coming in following the by-elections.
The crowd reacts as news of NLD wins come in.
Aung San Suu Kyi has claimed victory in the elections for her post on government. Time will tell how successful in changing the regime the election will have.
Hello all, it’s been a while since I last posted but that doesn’t mean I haven’t been busy….far from it..!
In the last few months I’ve been in Argentina, Bolivia, Kenya, South Sudan, Dubai, London and Jersey shooting, filming and being a guest speaker at a Rotary Peace and Conflict Resolution Conference. I’ll be posting more on each subject over the next few weeks so first I’ll start with an assignment to South Sudan earlier this month to report on the water situation there for Cafod.
It was a real privilege to report from the world’s newest nation and despite the huge challenges it faces there was an undeniable air of optimism. The pictures and video below were featured in the Manchester Evening News last week and will also be published in various other news media. (The video is found about half way down the article.)
This was an awareness and fundraising campaign for Cafod and their work in South Sudan and other countries and what makes this years campaign particularly important is that the UK Government aid scheme (DFID) will match any funds raised pound for pound. Donations can be made here.
The Republic South Sudan gained Independence on 9th July 2011 following decades of civil war. An estimated two million people were killed in the fighting between Northern forces and the rebel Sudanese People’s Liberation Army (SPLA). A further four million were displaced after being forced to flee the fighting. South Sudan is one of the poorest countries in the world with almost all of it’s infrastructure destroyed during the war. With an illiteracy rate of 92% and a lack of basic health care, clean water and food it faces many challengers.
Below are a small selection of the images and the campaign video that I shot. Produced by Potential Productions.
Community members walk past an old tank in St Peters, Mundri. Mundri has seen over 12,000 returnees since 2008 with many settling back into the community of St Peters.
Five months pregnant Elizabeth Eidngo (30) from St Cecilia who has 3 boys and 2 girls filling up jerry cans of fresh clean water from the Cafod borehole. Each family is allowed to collect 5/6 jerrycans of water or 100 litres a day which is used for drinking, cooking and washing.
The only access to water before boreholes were drilled were unclean shallow wells which caused serious health issues amongst the most vulnerable in the community. The community of St Cecilia in Yei is home to over 400 households or approx. 3.000 people. In Dec 2011 the communities first borehole was fitted by Cafod supplying them with fresh clean water for the first time.
Mundri Bridge that runs over a tributary of the River Nile. Water collectors filling their jerry cans to sell around the town. For many, this is their only source of water.
Community members filling up jerry cans from the Cafod borehole. Due to the long queues they can spend up to two hours filling the cans.
Mercy (12) from St Cecilia in Yei filling up jerry cans of fresh clean water from the Cafod borehole. The cans can weigh up to 25kg.
Rose Anite (46) who has 8 children from Mbalago on the outskirts of Yei at her home washing up after filling jerry cans from the Cafod borehole.
General view of Juba city. Most of the countries infrastructure was destroyed during the war. There are only 75km of paved road in South Sudan which is the size of France.
Children burning rubbish in Hei Malakal in Mundri. The country has been left with a staggering 92% illiteracy rate due to the conflict.
Oliver Sebit (75) with his wife Zerifa Sebit (65) in Hei Malakal in Mundri pictured with all their possessions. They fled here in 1993 for Khartoum and just returned in December 2011. They have to sell something of theirs each day to pay for food.
Oliver Sebit (75) with his wife Zerifa Sebit (65) in Hei Malakal in Mundri. They fled here in 1993 for Khartoum and just returned in December 2011. They often sleep outdoors when it is to hot. They have no other family to look after them so the local church gave them an outhouse to sleep in.
Elizabeth Emba (31) lives with her 13 family members in a small tukle in Hei Malakal in Mundri. She and her family returned from Khartoum in September 2011 following the countries independence in July 2011.
Alice Silvano (40) arrived back to St Peters in Mundri with her family from Khartoum in January 2012. She arrived with only a bag of maize to live on. She has two boys Silvan (4) and Elmas (8). Pictured outside her temporary home holding all her possessions. Her husband died and she now lives with his brother. She is awaiting for the government to provide land so she can build and grow her own crops. There are over 1 million people on the border awaiting resettlement.
