Iraq - Unsafe Ground
Documentary photography on the ground in Iraq, where explosive remnants of war continue to threaten lives and efforts are underway to make land safe. Shot while working alongside local teams and partner organisations.
The conflict with ISIS between 2014-2017 caused widespread destruction and displaced over six million people. Unexploded ordnance continues to maim and kill years after the fighting ended. Homes and streets remain contaminated with explosives, and cities like Fallujah are surrounded by belts of home-made mines.
The conflict with ISIS between 2014-2017 caused widespread destruction and displaced over six million people. Unexploded ordnance continues to maim and kill years after the fighting ended. Homes and streets remain contaminated with explosives, and cities like Fallujah are surrounded by belts of home-made mines.
Devastating damage was caused across Baiji, Tikrit and Fallujah during the fighting. Families are forced to live amongst the destruction.
Local children building a fort from the rubble, Fallujah.
Local children building a fort from the rubble, Fallujah.
Destroyed buildings in Baiji. Explosive devices were found abandoned nearby.
"I felt so sad. Everything was destroyed.
"I felt so sad. Everything was destroyed.
No electricity, nothing, no life."
— Saffa, Baiji, Iraq.
— Saffa, Baiji, Iraq.
Dalie, 26, attempted to return to her home in Baiji following the defeat of ISIS. She was injured when she unknowingly placed an explosive device on a fire while clearing her house. The area where she lives remains largely destroyed.
Across Iraq, organisations like The HALO Trust are working to clear the explosives left behind by years of conflict.
Teams work to locate and remove explosives hidden in homes, fields and streets.
A deminer training to use a specialist detector near Fallujah.
Machines are used to help clear the long barriers of home-made mines.
Explosives still litter the streets. Until they are cleared, children are taught how to stay safe through risk education sessions in local schools.
Slowly, the land is being made safe.
