General News, 2nd prize
Original caption from World Press Photo (1986)
Chekole Debasser (4) died from starvation complicated by mumps and diarrhoea, in Korem Camp, a famine relief camp 250 miles north of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
As part of a review of our online archive, some images have limited access to protect the privacy of the individuals photographed. This image is only available on request for research purposes. Please request access by emailing our team. Read more about our work on our online archive.
More information
Cry, the Pitiless Land. Ethiopia’s Ruthless Regime Uses Famine As a Cruel Weapon, published in Life Magazine in May 1985.
Text: Cheryl McCall. Photos: Mary Ellen Mark
Imaging Famine project
"Imaging Famine" was a research project that studied the historical representation of famine in media, examining the persistent use of famine imagery across time and place. It explored the relationship between photography, anthropology, and colonialism, with a focus on the political implications of photography.
Through a Glass Darkly, by Robert Godden, published on Witness in September 2017
How should vulnerable children be represented in the media? Are we guilty of applying different ethical standards dependent on the race, ethnicity, nationality, location, gender or class of the child? Robert Godden explores these questions and provides guidelines for photojournalists and organizations.
Original caption from World Press Photo (1986)
The body of a 28-year-old woman is washed for a Muslim burial by her mother and aunt in Korem camp, a famine relief camp 250 miles north of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
As part of a review of our online archive, some images have limited access to protect the privacy of the individuals photographed. This image is only available on request for research purposes. Please request access by emailing our team. Read more about our work on our online archive.
More information
Cry, the Pitiless Land. Ethiopia’s Ruthless Regime Uses Famine As a Cruel Weapon, published in Life Magazine in May 1985.
Text: Cheryl McCall. Photos: Mary Ellen Mark
Imaging Famine project
"Imaging Famine" was a research project that studied the historical representation of famine in media, examining the persistent use of famine imagery across time and place. It explored the relationship between photography, anthropology, and colonialism, with a focus on the political implications of photography.
Through a Glass Darkly, by Robert Godden, published on Witness in September 2017
How should vulnerable children be represented in the media? Are we guilty of applying different ethical standards dependent on the race, ethnicity, nationality, location, gender or class of the child? Robert Godden explores these questions and provides guidelines for photojournalists and organizations.
Mary Ellen Mark
Life / Time
Life / Time
01 May, 1985
Life in Korem Camp, a famine relief camp 250 miles north of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. For the famine victims forced to live outdoors, blankets and crevices in the parched earth provide the only shelter during the cold nights.
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