They are taken by Gold Walkley winning journalist for the West Australian newspaper Steve Pennells. As tragic as the images are, I think his work is some of the most impressive photojournalism I’ve seen so far this year. The more attention on this crisis the better. And, as Pennells point out, brings some perspective to the ongoing debate in Australia about refugees.
The captions accompanying the photos below are as Pennells wrote them on Twitter on 9 July 2013.
You can read Pennells’ story on Syria in the West Australian.
1 in 5 people fleeing Syria now are younger than 4. This baby was only 10 days old when smuggled across the border.Last year, 15,800 people claimed asylum in Australia. Syria’s borders bleed that number every 4 days. #perspectiveWhile Aus. debates turning back boats, Jordan’s army transports, feeds and shelters Syrian refugees. #SyriaI asked Jordanian Brigadier-General Hassan Hayajneh why his army helps refugees. He said it is their “human duty”.Dusk at Zaatari refugee camp. Less than a year old and already the 5th largest population centre in Jordan. #Syria
Amy Feldtmann 