"Are we human?", more than one refugee asked me since I started covering the refugee
odyssey towards Europe. And some ask it again here in Serbia where temperatures drop till -20°C. They survive in warehouses, old shacks and abandonned train wagons behind the train station in Belgrade, some as young as ten years old. They suffer from cold related diseases like frost bites, from hunger and depression. The capital of Serbia became a permanent residence for refugees as Hungary and Croatia's borders are sealed with fences and border patrols. Hungary only investigates 10 asylum claims a day, prioritizing Syrians and families. Male refugees from wartorn countries as Iraq and Afghanistan wait an indefinite time in Serbia. Many who try to cross the borders are beaten up and bitten by police dogs, and pushed back into Serbia. Where they survive in the winter cold.
Freelance photojournalist, since 4 years working for Belgian and international media. Publications include De Standaard, Le Monde, Le Courrier International, BBC, Elsevier, De Tijd, De Groene Amsterdammer, Goethe Insitute, among others. I also work for the NGO's Doctors of the World, Doctors Without Borders, Handicap International.
Awards Lensculture one of the 50 best Emerging Photographers Worldwide 2016
IPA (International Photography Awards) General News Third Prize 2018
PX3 Paris Photo Bronze in the categorie Press 2017
Ipoty (Internatiol Photographer of the Year) 3thd place Editorial 2016
Nikon Press Photographers Award in the categorie Stories 2016
IPA (International Photography Awards) honorable mention in the category Photo Essay 2018
IPA (International Photography Awards) second honorable mention in the category Photo Essay 2018
Finalist and featured at Rencontres d'Arles 2016
2nd prize of Life Framer 'Humans of the World' 2015
Ipoty (Internatiol Photographer of the Year) honorable mention category Daily Life 2017
IPA (International Photography Awards) honorable mention in the category Photo Stories 2016
IPA (International Photography Awards) honorable mention in the category Photo Essay 2017
IPA (International Photography Awards) honorable mention in the category General News 2017
IPA (International Photography Awards) second honorable mention in the category General News 2017
Honorable mention ND Awards 2017
Finalist Life Framer 'An instant' 2018
Editor's pick Life Framer 'Contemporary Pilgrims' 2017
Honorable mention Life Framer 'Urban Life' 2018
Finalist Pierre and Alexandra Boulat Grant 2016
Finalist Brussels Street Photography Festival 2016
In 2014-2017 three grants gave me the opportunity to work on longterm projects: Fund Pascal Decroos for reporting on the textile workers of Cambodia. Fund Filip Decock for documenting the eco-sustainibility of Tonle Sap Lake. And International Development Reporting Grant for
