MEDIA ADVISORY

WHAT:             Media Preview Our World at War Photo Exhibit and interview opportunity.

WHEN:              9 a.m. until 12 p.m., Thursday, June 4

WHERE:            The Newseum, (Concourse level) 555 Pennsylvania Ave, NW

CONTACTS:       Bernard Barrett, ICRC, 202-587-4604; Tina Tate, Newseum, 202-292-6313     

Fairfax, Va. (May 28, 2009) – The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), in cooperation with the VII Photo Agency and the Newseum, will host a moving photo exhibit, depicting the many faces of war. A special press preview will be held at the Newseum, 555 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, from 9 a.m. until 12 p.m. on Thursday, June 4. In addition to previewing the exhibit, set to open to the public in D.C. on June 5, members of the press will be able to interview one of the VII photographers, Ron Haviv, as well as representatives of the ICRC and the Newseum.  

On May 8, the ICRC together with the VII Photo Agency launched a worldwide campaign to raise awareness of today’s most pressing humanitarian challenges. As part of the campaign, which marks the 150th anniversary of the Red Cross, the ICRC sent five photographers from the VII Photo Agency to eight conflict-affected countries to view up-close the suffering caused by war and violence.             

The exhibit is comprised of 40 photographs taken in recent months by the five photographers The world renowned war photographers, James Natchwey, Christopher Morris, Franco Pagetti, Ron Haviv, and Antonin Kratochvil travelled to Afghanistan, Colombia, The Democratic Republic of Congo, Georgia, Haiti, Lebanon, Liberia and the Philippines, capturing images of pain and hope. See a sampling of the exhibit at http://www.newseum.org/news/news.aspx?item=nn_ICRC090522&style=f.              

The photographs in this moving exhibit capture the strength, pain and humanity of people who have deeply suffered the consequences of armed conflict.  But the pictures also show that, in the darkest hours of despair, there remains a sense of hope and pride.          

For details on the exhibit or for other media assistance, contact Bernard Barrett, ICRC, 202-587-4604; or Tina Tate, the Newseum, 202-292-6313.  

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