Salahuddin Ahmed Paulash's 'Rohingya Crisis: Through Despair there is Hope'

Bangladeshi photographer Salahuddin Ahmed Paulash bagged the Ian Parry Scholarship 2018 in the “Award for Potential” category. The Ian Parry Scholarship grants $3,500 prize money and a year-long mentorship programme for young photographers who are under 24, and attending a full-time photographic education. Mushfiqul Alam, another Bangladeshi photographer, also won the Ian Perry Scholarship in the “Highly Commended” category.

Paulash is a documentary photo activist from Bangladesh working as a photojournalist with UNB. To hone his skills he is also pursuing a course in Pathshala South Asian Media Institute. His work has been published in the New York Times, Time, The Wall Street Journal, Associated Press, Reuters, Independent-UK and UNB. His notable exhibitions include 2015 Visa Pour L'Image, Ian Parry Scholarship Exhibition, Perpignan, France, and the 2015 Ian Parry Scholarship Exhibition, London, UK.

Paulash received the award for his famous series 'Rohingya Crisis: Through Despair there is Hope.' During the last few years, Myanmar has been forcing its Rohingya Muslim population into the neighbouring Bangladesh. In August 2017 an enormous humanitarian crisis erupted after Myanmar's military carried out a violent purge, leading thousands of Rohingya Muslims – mostly women and children – to flee to Bangladesh. Paulash stayed at the camps in Cox's Bazar for four months, extensively documenting the perilous journey of the refugees. Some of those he met there had lost their identities and loved ones in Myanmar, and they are now living in squalid conditions without access to basic medical care. This photographic project centres on the struggle for health and survival in the camps, especially for women and children. He believes the desperate plight of these people needs to be the focus of greater worldwide attention.

An award night will take place in Mayor Office London on October 9 when the awardees will formally receive the Ian Parry Scholarship. Besides, a month long (October 1-30) exhibition, featuring their works will open at More London Riverside outside City Hall.