As the world marks yet another year of devastating conflicts in the Middle East, a poignant photograph continues to resonate with its powerful portrayal of child resilience. The 2018 World Press Photo award-winning image by Alessio Mamo captures the indomitable spirit of Manal, who at just 12 years old was recovering from severe burns sustained during a missile explosion in Kirkuk, Iraq.
The image is a stark reminder of the human cost of ongoing conflicts, particularly on children. Mamo's six-month project, 'The Hospital of All the Wars', documented the lives of patients at the Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) Al-Mowasah hospital in Amman, Jordan, which provides critical care to individuals from across the conflict-ridden region, including Iraq, Gaza, Yemen, Syria, and Lebanon. Manal's story is a testament to the enduring impact of such conflicts on children, who often bear the brunt of violence.
Despite her ordeal, Mamo recalls Manal as a 'beautiful, amazing girl' who enjoyed telling stories and participating in hospital activities, making friends among other long-term patients. Her resilience and spirit are a beacon of hope amidst profound suffering. The portrait, captured spontaneously, depicts Manal surrounded by her drawings and a balloon, illustrating the youthful spirit that continues to inspire.
Mamo's shift from focusing on aesthetics to highlighting social injustice was catalysed by his experience covering a migrant shipwreck off Lampedusa in 2013. His subsequent work at the MSF hospital has profoundly impacted him, especially since becoming a father. He emphasises that children remain primary victims of conflicts, a reality he finds increasingly urgent to highlight.
As Mamo prepares to travel to Beirut with The Guardian to work on a new project focusing on children affected by the ongoing war in the region, he expresses a deep sense of anger at their suffering but channels this emotion into his work. His aim is to raise awareness and foster a world where such suffering is not ignored. For British nationals in the region, the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) advises against all but essential travel to certain areas due to the security situation; it is essential for them to monitor FCDO travel advice closely.