The need for water in Sudan - outdoor exhibition

The outdoor exhibition “The Need for Water in Sudan” presents a photo report by Wojciech Grzędziński, a Polish photojournalist, created in March 2010 during the photographer’s trip with staff from the Polish Humanitarian Action (PAH) to South Sudan. The black-and-white photographs depict the daily life in one of the poorest regions of the world, particularly focusing on the pressing issue of limited access to drinking water in the country. The photographer addresses this challenging topic while maintaining ethical standards and objectivity, simultaneously prompting reflection and concrete humanitarian actions.

South Sudan experiences extreme living conditions, primarily due to adverse climatic factors but also due to years of devastating wars. The peace agreement in 2005 granted the residents of South Sudan autonomy and offered hundreds of thousands of refugees a chance to return home. The ubiquitous wastelands, grassy spaces, occasionally intersected by hardened paths, are characterized by a lack of water. Rare rainfall determines who will have water and who will survive the coming months. There is one well for approximately 1,700 people. The lack of water also means a lack of hygiene, which leads to high rates of illness and mortality among both children and adults.

Since 2006, the Polish Humanitarian Action has been conducting a permanent mission in South Sudan. One of the main objectives of its humanitarian efforts is to ensure access to safe drinking water: collaborating with local communities to build and repair wells, funding training on pump repairs, and promoting hygiene. The exhibition will provide information on how to get involved in PAH’s activities.

To date, with funds provided by companies, public institutions, and private individuals, PAH has financed the construction of over 90 wells in the country.

The exhibition has already been hosted in several cities in Poland, including Krakow, Warsaw, Ełk, Toruń, and again in Warsaw.

Wojciech Grzędziński was born in 1980 in Warsaw. He studied Applied Social Sciences, Anthropology, and Rehabilitation Pedagogy at the University of Warsaw. He worked as a photojournalist for “Super Ekspress,” “Rzeczpospolita,” and “Dziennik,” as well as a stringer for various agencies. He is a co-founder of the photographic agency Napo Images. As a photographer, he is interested in people in everyday environments as well as in extreme situations. Wojciech Grzędziński is a multiple award winner of press photography competitions, including Grand Press Photo, Newsreportaż, BZWBK Press Photo, and World Press Photo.