Many will recognise this photo from the 90s. It was taken by South African photographer Kevin Carter and named ‘The Vulture and the Little Girl‘. It was a photograph of a little child who collapsed, overcome with exhaustion en-route to a UN feeding station in famine ravaged Sudan in 1993. A vulture lurking nearby was waiting for it’s prey to slowly succumb to her death so they can feast on her remains.
Kevin Carter won the Pultizer award in April 1994 and, less than 16 months after shooting this photograph, died by suicide aged 33.
Desmond Tutu, Archbishop Emeritus of Cape Town, South Africa, wrote of Carter, "And we know a little about the cost of being traumatized that drove some to suicide, that, yes, these people were human beings operating under the most demanding of conditions."
Many of the scenes involving children coming out of Gaza will remain etched in people’s minds forever. How will our healthcare workers come to terms with what they have encountered if we cannot come to terms seeing it through our screens? How will they deal with what they have lost, endured and have had to do in order to preserve a life but which would have caused immense pain and distress to an already vulnerable patient pleading with them for relief they cannot provide.
Today we learnt from a colleague in Gaza that there have been 3 reported cases of cardiac arrests in little children with no pre-existing heart problems. The healthcare staff attributed these cases to stress from the lack of sleep, persistent distress, malnutrition, and non-stop unsustainable adrenaline bombarding their little precious hearts.
We are hurriedly finalising all the nominations ready by the submission deadline of 31st Jan. The nominations are extensive and cover female and male humanitarians, nurses, doctors, paramedics. They consist of hospitals, non-governmental organisations, unions and individuals. We are trying to be as inclusive and equitable whilst sticking to the nominations criteria.
Before we submit we wanted to announce publicly that we will be putting one group journalist nomination. If there is significant objection we will reconsider as it was not on the original petition signed by many and we honour that, but I hope the majority will welcome this supplementary nomination.
Without our courageous journalists on the ground rushing to the scene of unimaginable trauma and horror, seeking the truth with their last breath, we would not have been able to witness the extent of the sacrifice, resilience and endurance of our hero healthcare workers. They share the same humanitarian podium and therefore we wish to amplify and recognise their sacrifice as well.
When we submit in one week, I will confirm submission via an update. Then have a big cup of tea and pray for a successful outcome!
Thank you all for your sharing, promoting and supporting of this petition. It is inspiring seeing the support Gazan healthcare workers have from around the entire globe. This petition will be entered as supporting evidence towards these nominations and you will be helping convince the panel that these healthcare workers are worthy of this prestigious award.