About the project:

Project Partners:
Photographer: Alex Masi
Nonprofit: The Bhopal Medical Appeal
Agency: The Bhopal Medical Appeal, Colin Toogood, Media Director

Project Title: Open Wounds Bhopal: 1984-2011

Project description: Twenty-five years after Union Carbide's gas disaster, its deadly legacy is now affecting innocent children living within the city. Many suffer from severe, degrading neurological and physical disorders caused by the large-scale drinking water contamination, continuing unabated today as a result of toxic material from the chemical disaster in 1984.

On 28 March 2008, the Human Rights Council adopted a resolution confirming that governments have obligations to ensure access to safe drinking water and sanitation under international human rights law.

I aim to continue capturing intimate, inspiring images capable of challenging the viewers' emotions, empathy, sense of justice and humanity in order to better serve The Bhopal Medical Appeal's needs for strong visual communication tools and for the support of its many activities.

I strongly believe to be my duty as a journalist to contribute towards a more just and dignifying future for city of Bhopal.

About the photographer: Alex Masi perceives himself to be both a journalist and a visual storyteller. “I strive to expose injustice and I aim to spread awareness within the public, hoping for a response by trying to produce intimate, touching images that can sensitize viewers in positive, engaging and proactive ways,” he says. He believes that documentary photography should foster direct action by individuals and governments and therefore be a catalyst for a slow change in policy-making and people's behavior. Through his work, Alex aims to present a clear understanding of the issues he covers as well as a unique personal perspective and aesthetic style. He strives to understand, capture and present the hidden, less obvious sides of a subject, working with empathy, respect and responsibility toward those people whose life he documents through his images: images that can spur people into action, inspire and stimulate our deeper and most innate feelings. In 2010, Alex received a series of international recognitions, mostly for his documentation of the water contamination in the city of Bhopal, India. The list includes: Winner of the '2010 Harry Chapin Media Awards' for Photojournalism, 2nd Prize Series Documentary/Photojournalism at the “FotoWeek DC Festival and Exhibition” in Washington, D.C., finalist for the “New York Photo Awards 2010” in the Editorial Single category and First Prize at the “China International Press Contest 2010” in the Daily Life Single category. He also was selected for the “Photo District News (PDN) Photo Annual 2010;” Special Prize by Jury at the “Days Japan International Photojournalism Awards;” Feature Picture of the Year, 2nd Place, at “The Photographers Giving Back Award 2010.” Personal Website: http://www.alexmasi.co.uk

Agency aspect: One of the Bhopal Medical Appeal’s main fundraising strategies are Appeal Ads used to sensitize the public. Fresh and actual long-term documentation in Bhopal will enhance these ads and promotional material.