War Defects: The Fallujah Legacy


  • Photographer
    Alex Masi
  • Prize
    Honorable Mention
  • Company/Studios
    Freelance
  • Date of Photograph
    December-January 2010-11
  • Technical Info
    Canon 5D Mark II + Lens

Doctors in the Iraqi city of Fallujah, are dealing with a mysterious rise of deformities in infants, early life cancers, leukemia and neurological disorders in children. Experts point out that white phosphorous, depleted uranium and other chemical weapons could have caused the sharp rise in defects, genetic disorders and increased child mortality. Dr Samira, the senior paediatrician at Fallujah General Hospital appointed to investigate the matter and to keep vital records, indicates that inside the facility, over 10 per cent of children are now born with some sort of congenital defect, while many die immediately or within weeks from birth.

Story

Doctors in the Iraqi city of Fallujah, are dealing with a mysterious rise of deformities in infants, early life cancers, leukemia and neurological disorders in children.

Experts point out that white phosphorous, depleted uranium and other chemical weapons could have caused the sharp rise in birth defects, genetic disorders and increased child mortality.

Dr Samira, the senior paediatrician at Fallujah General Hospital appointed to investigate the matter and to keep vital records, indicates that inside the modern facility, over 10 per cent of children are now born with some sort of congenital defect, while many die immediately or within weeks from birth.

At the present moment there seem to be very little explanation over the fate of these children. Parents are left to wonder in distress, questioning doctors for concrete reasons, and in their agony they feel isolated, helpless, scared and angry.

While the Iraqi Ministry of Health is trying to dismiss the claims as media hype, a long-awaited WHO health survey of the city, announced months ago, has yet to begin.

A number of families in Fallujah have recently taken legal action in the UK for its involvement in the second siege of the city, which saw some of the fiercest fighting of the Iraq War.

Public Interest Lawyers, representing the Iraqis, wants to establish the degree of involvement and responsibility of British troops and what really happened in Fallujah.

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