Environment Shortlist

Six years into the conflict in Mozambique, numerous Islamic terrorist attacks in the Cabo Delgado province have resulted in nearly 1 million internally displaced people, according to an assessment made by the Mozambican authorities, and more than 4,000 deaths. In an extremely precarious socio-economic reality, where – according to the UNDP – almost 80 per cent of the population live off less than two US dollars a day, Mozambique is one of the poorest countries in the world. At the same time, it is also among the world’s top hotspots threatened by natural hazards such as droughts, flooding and cyclones. The frequency and intensity of disasters is increasing due to the global climate crisis. The photographer explains ‘the humanitarian community in Mozambique estimates that more than 2 million people are now in need of humanitarian assistance and protection.’

Matteo Bastianelli (b. 1985) is an Italian documentary photographer and filmmaker. He is a National Geographic Magazine contributor and a member of Italy's National Order of Journalists. Above all he works on long-term projects related to social and environmental topics, with a keen interest in consequences of wars and contemporary issues affecting our society. Since 2016 he has also been working as a humanitarian photographer and video-maker for NGOs such as AVSI, ICRC and MSF.