Sahrawi people are the tribe of the world that has been exposed to the longest period of forced exile. For 31 years, they have been cut off from their homeland and subject to the extreme conditions of a very arid desert that doesn’t offer any sustainable way of living. Given that their geopolitical situation doesn't allow them to develop economically, their survival depends almost entirely on international help. They are physically isolated by a wall of more than 7 million mines. These mines were all buried in most parts of the territory at the beginning of the war by Morocco, in order to stop the Polisario Front. There is no need to say that the mines also considerably slow down the emergence of any economical progress given the high cost incurred in the attempt to neutralize mines and the medical care of those wounded. One of the main problems that international help faces is the increasing number of daily victims while medical care structures like hospitals lack the means to help people needing medical attention. Most human resources available come from people donating their time. This paired up with the lack of interest, the lack of communication and the seemingly non-existent presence of the international community, renders this situation completely unacceptable. These images were captured a few months ago in a hospital for people wounded by the war and the mines while in camps for Sahrawi refugees. They denounce the situation that too many people have to face when they unluckily step onto one of these explosive artifacts. People that, from one day to the next, are suddenly dismembered and are confined to a wheelchair or a bed for the rest of their days.
Federico Sutera Photography
Federico Sutera is an italian freelance photographer based in Venice.
His main work is focused on documentary projects and fine art prints.