First Place
Win McNamee, Getty Images
Exodus: 2015 saw a mass migration of refugees fleeing the war torn countries of Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan and neighboring countries. Seeking safety for their families and often fleeing Islamic extremism, the refugees attempted to make their way to western and northern Europe, often with limited financial resources. Large portions of these journeys took place on foot as refugees tried to navigate the shifting political realities of the nations they traveled through. The migration marked the largest movement of people since World War Two. By year’s end, as many as a million people had migrated into Europe through the so-called “Balkan Route”.
Second Place
Sarah L. Voisin, The Washington Post
Lifting the Curtain of Isolation in Cuba: No event in decades shook up Cuba like the announcement in December 2014 by Presidents Barack Obama and Raul Castro that their countries would begin normalizing long-broken relations. As the months pass by without concrete changes some Cubans are losing their initial optimism from the thawing relationship and others are fleeing the country in rafts marking the largest wave of migration from the island in decades. Those that remain show a vivacious spirit and resiliency that shines through in their daily life as they wait for the curtain of isolation to rise on their country. Andris Trujillo, 8, tosses a yellow balloon into the air on the rainy evening of August 15, 2015 in the impoverished Cerro (hill) neighborhood of Havana, Cuba.
Third Place
Bonnie Jo Mount, The Washington Post
Amazon Tribe: In 2012 Survival International declared the Aw· 'earth's most threatened tribe'. In 2014 the Brazilian government expelled loggers and settlers who were encroaching on their lands. Numbered in the hundreds, they live deep in the eastern Amazon of Brazil where they hunt and fish and rely on a healthy forest to provide for their subsistence.
Award of Excellence
Bonnie Jo Mount, The Washington Post
A Noisy Noxious Existence: Brazil produces some of the best iron ore in the world. To keep up with demand the country is expanding mining operations as well as the railroad that carries the ore to the sea for export. The production of iron ore denigrates the environment and human health. The expanding railroad is not perceived as beneficial to many towns along the tracks.
Award of Excellence
Matt McClain, The Washington Post
Nepal Earthquake: Nepal was struck by a large earthquake on April 25th, 2015. Thousands were killed in the quake. Many survivors lost their homes or were unable to return to damaged structures that were deemed unsafe.