Mohamed Amin’s Lens That Stirred Conscience and Saved Millions of Lives Globally

Photo : Sharjah Govt Media Bureau

Three of Mohamed Amin’s most powerful photographs, which shook the world’s conscience and helped save millions of lives, are among the highlights of the International Photography Festival in Sharjah.

If a picture is worth a thousand words, then one image by Kenyan photojournalist Mohamed Amin is worth far more—it helped launch the largest humanitarian aid campaign in history. Such was the impact of his photography. His lens did not just document moments of suffering; it called the world to action. After his passing, Reuters even established an award in his honor, recognizing his courage and dedication to storytelling. But what photographs by Amin are being displayed at Xposure 2025, and why do they still matter today?

The Famine That Shook the World

In the mid-1980s, northern Ethiopia faced a devastating famine. A long drought, combined with political conflicts that blocked food supplies, led to a disaster of unimaginable scale. Over a million people died, more than two million were displaced, and half a million fled the country in search of survival.

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Mohamed Amin’s camera became more than just a tool—it became a voice for those who had none. His haunting images forced the world to see the brutal reality of the famine. His work, along with that of other journalists, spread across global media, making it impossible to ignore the crisis. In response, international relief campaigns such as Band Aid, USA for Africa, and Live Aid were launched, raising millions to save Ethiopian lives.

Amin was no stranger to history. He had documented Kenya’s independence, but the Ethiopian famine was different. It was not just a story—it was a tragedy unfolding before his eyes. And through his camera, he made sure the world saw it too.

The Three Photographs That Changed Everything

Among the many powerful images displayed at Xposure 2025, three stand out as unforgettable reminders of that dark period.

The first is of a starving Ethiopian child, his frail body barely able to stand, his face marked by disease and hunger. His sunken eyes seem to ask a heartbreaking question: Why? This image alone captured the depth of the suffering and forced people to pay attention.

The second photograph shows famine victims bending down to pick up grains of food that had fallen from relief planes. In their desperate struggle, those tiny grains represented hope, but through Amin’s lens, they also symbolized the injustice and suffering that had been ignored for far too long.

The third and perhaps the most haunting image is that of a lifeless child’s body being carried to a mass grave in Korem, a refugee camp in northern Ethiopia. The scene was a daily reality at the time, but through Amin’s photography, it became impossible to overlook. It was a painful reminder that hunger was not just about empty stomachs—it was about lives being lost.

A Legacy That Lives On

By June 1985, international aid efforts had reached their peak. The Live Aid concerts, organized by Irish singer Bob Geldof, took place in multiple cities worldwide, raising millions of dollars for Ethiopia’s starving population. And at the heart of it all were the images taken by Mohamed Amin—images that had moved people to act.

At Xposure 2025, these photographs are not just displayed as history. They are a powerful reminder of the impact of photography in creating real change. They show us that even in the darkest times, the world can come together to help those in need.

This is Mohamed Amin’s legacy: a photographer whose lens saved lives, whose images turned despair into hope, and whose story continues to inspire the world to care.

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