Bassam Khabieh Wins Robert Capa Gold Medal

2 minute read

This year’s Overseas Press Club of America awardees have been revealed in a ceremony held in New York on April 27.

Bassam Khabieh of Reuters won the prestigious Robert Capa Gold Medal Award for “photographic reporting from abroad requiring exceptional courage and enterprise.” His Field Hospital Damascus put into perspective the tremendous danger and difficulty of being a photojournalist in current-day Syria, one of the most hostile and unpredictable environments on the planet.

The Olivier Rebbot Award for “best photographic reporting from abroad in magazines or books” went to Stephen Dupont of Contact Press Images for his work in Afghanistan. His Generation AK: The Afghanistan Wars, 1993-2012 offers historical context to documenting life in a war-torn nation for nearly two decades.

The New York Times’ photojournalists Mauricio Lima, Sergey Ponomarev, Tyler Hicks and Daniel Etter received The John Faber Award for “best photographic reporting from abroad in newspapers or news services.” Their Exodus series offered engaging variety that tells the broad story of the plight of the migrants crossing border after border in hopes of a better life.

The Feature Photography Award went to the New York Times’ Daniel Berehulak for his work in Nepal, which conveyed grief, humanity and the scale of tragedy in the search after the earthquake.

Founded in 1939, the Overseas Press Club was formed by a group of foreign correspondents in New York. Today, the organization supports and encourages high standards of professional integrity among journalists across the world.

The body of a dead man is seen next to blood stains at a field hospital, after what activists said were air and missile strikes, in the Douma neighborhood of Damascus, Syria, Dec. 13, 2015.
The body of a dead man is seen next to blood stains at a field hospital, after what activists said were air and missile strikes, in the Douma neighborhood of Damascus, Syria, Dec. 13, 2015. Bassam Khabieh—Reuters
Medics treat injured people inside a field hospital after what activists said were air and missile strikes in the Douma neighborhood of Damascus, Syria December 13, 2015.
Medics treat injured people inside a field hospital after what activists said were air and missile strikes in the Douma neighborhood of Damascus, Syria, Dec. 13, 2015. Bassam Khabieh—Reuters
Medics treat an injured man inside a field hospital after what activists said were air and missile strikes in the Douma neighborhood of Damascus, Syria December 13, 2015.
Medics treat an injured man inside a field hospital after what activists said were air and missile strikes in the Douma neighborhood of Damascus, Syria, Dec. 13, 2015. Bassam Khabieh—Reuters
A medic treats an injured girl inside a field hospital after what activists said were air and missile strikes in the Douma neighborhood of Damascus, Syria December 13, 2015.
A medic treats an injured girl inside a field hospital after what activists said were air and missile strikes in the Douma neighborhood of Damascus, Syria, Dec. 13, 2015. Bassam Khabieh—Reuters
A medic tests patients' blood inside a field hospital in the Douma neighborhood of Damascus, Syria December 5, 2015.
A medic tests patients' blood inside a field hospital in the Douma neighborhood of Damascus, Syria, Dec. 5, 2015. Bassam Khabieh—Reuters
Doctors treat an injured civilian in a field hospital after what activists said was shelling by forces of Syria's President Bashar al-Assad in the Douma neighbourhood of Damascus, Eastern Ghouta, Syria November 19, 2015.
Doctors treat an injured civilian in a field hospital after what activists said was shelling by forces of Syria's President Bashar al-Assad in the Douma neighbourhood of Damascus, Eastern Ghouta, Syria, Nov. 19, 2015. Bassam Khabieh—Reuters
An injured child holds coins in his hand as he lies on a bed inside a field hospital, after what activists said was shelling by forces loyal to Syria's President Bashar al-Assad, in the Douma neighborhood of Damascus, Syria November 29, 2015.
An injured child holds coins in his hand as he lies on a bed inside a field hospital, after what activists said was shelling by forces loyal to Syria's President Bashar al-Assad, in the Douma neighborhood of Damascus, Syria, Nov. 29, 2015. Bassam Khabieh—Reuters
A man, injured in what activists said was an airstrike by forces loyal to Syria's president Bashar al-Assad, lies in a field hospital in the Douma neighborhood of Damascus, Syria December 6, 2015.
A man, injured in what activists said was an airstrike by forces loyal to Syria's president Bashar al-Assad, lies in a field hospital in the Douma neighborhood of Damascus, Syria, Dec. 6, 2015. Bassam Khabieh—Reuters
A damaged Intravenous apparatus is pictured outside a damaged newborn nursery after what activists said were air and missile strikes in the Douma neighborhood of Damascus, Syria December 13, 2015.
A damaged Intravenous apparatus is pictured outside a damaged newborn nursery after what activists said were air and missile strikes in the Douma neighborhood of Damascus, Syria, Dec. 13, 2015. Bassam Khabieh—Reuters
Men look at an X-ray inside a field hospital in the Douma neighborhood of Damascus, Syria December 6, 2015.
Men look at an X-ray inside a field hospital in the Douma neighborhood of Damascus, Syria, Dec. 6, 2015. Bassam Khabieh—Reuters
The body of a dead man is seen lying on the floor inside a field hospital after what activists said were air and missile strikes in the Douma neighborhood of Damascus, Syria December 13, 2015.
The body of a dead man is seen lying on the floor inside a field hospital after what activists said were air and missile strikes in the Douma neighborhood of Damascus, Syria, Dec. 13, 2015. Bassam Khabieh—Reuters
An injured boy undergoing surgery, after he was injured in what activists said was an airstrike by forces loyal to Syria's president Bashar al-Assad, rests inside a field hospital in the Douma neighborhood of Damascus, Syria December 5, 2015.
An injured boy undergoing surgery, after he was injured in what activists said was an airstrike by forces loyal to Syria's president Bashar al-Assad, rests inside a field hospital in the Douma neighborhood of Damascus, Syria, Dec. 5, 2015.Bassam Khabieh—Reuters
A husband passed salvaged belongings to his wife through the window of their earthquake-destroyed home in Bhaktapur, Nepal. In the days following the 7.8 magnitude quake, residents cautiously returned to collect whatever valuables they could find. April 29, 2015.
A husband passed salvaged belongings to his wife through the window of their earthquake-destroyed home in Bhaktapur, Nepal. In the days following the 7.8 magnitude quake, residents cautiously returned to collect whatever valuables they could find. April 29, 2015.Daniel Berehulak—The New York Times
Members of a Nepalese rescue team worked for hours to locate and retrieve the body of an earthquake victim from the ruins of his home in Bhaktapur, Nepal. The April 25 quake killed over 8,000 people and injured more than 21,000. April 29, 2015.
Members of a Nepalese rescue team worked for hours to locate and retrieve the body of an earthquake victim from the ruins of his home in Bhaktapur, Nepal. The April 25 quake killed over 8,000 people and injured more than 21,000. April 29, 2015.Daniel Berehulak—The New York Times
Nepalese villagers turn away from the downdraft of a helicopter delivering relief supplies to Gumda, a remote hillside village in Nepal. The mountainous terrain meant many of the earthquake-affected villages could be reached only by air, or by hours or days on foot. May 9, 2015.
Nepalese villagers turn away from the downdraft of a helicopter delivering relief supplies to Gumda, a remote hillside village in Nepal. The mountainous terrain meant many of the earthquake-affected villages could be reached only by air, or by hours or days on foot. May 9, 2015.Daniel Berehulak—The New York Times
Bishnu Gurung, in red, and her family and fellow villagers react as the body of her daughter, Rejina Gurung, 3, was removed from the rubble of their earthquake-destroyed home in Gumda. Neighbors discovered the body of the girl in the collapsed entrance of the Gurung family home, ending a 13-day search. Gumda, Nepal. May 8, 2015.
Bishnu Gurung, in red, and her family and fellow villagers react as the body of her daughter, Rejina Gurung, 3, was removed from the rubble of their earthquake-destroyed home in Gumda, Nepal. Neighbors discovered the body of the girl in the collapsed entrance of the Gurung family home, ending a 13-day search. May 8, 2015.Daniel Berehulak—The New York Times
Nepalese security workers search rubble for bodies as residents try to find salvageable valuables in their earthquake-destroyed homes in Bhaktapur, Nepal. Over 2.8 million people were left homeless by the quake. April 29, 2015.
Nepalese security workers search rubble for bodies as residents try to find salvageable valuables in their earthquake-destroyed homes in Bhaktapur, Nepal. Over 2.8 million people were left homeless by the quake. April 29, 2015.Daniel Berehulak—The New York Times
A girl rests on a bed frame salvaged from the ruins of her home in the village of Barpak. In the village, the epicenter of the April 25 earthquake and one of the larger villages in the mountainous Gorkha district, 1,200 out of 1,475 houses were destroyed. Local authorities said 69 people were killed, 50 were seriously injured and some were still missing. Barpak, Nepal. May 5, 2015.
A girl rests on a bed frame salvaged from the ruins of her home in the village of Barpak, Nepal. In the village, the epicenter of the April 25 earthquake and one of the larger villages in the mountainous Gorkha district, 1,200 out of 1,475 houses were destroyed. Local authorities said 69 people were killed, 50 were seriously injured and some were still missing. May 5, 2015.Daniel Berehulak—The New York Times
Earthquake-flattened homes are seen from an Indian military helicopter above a village in the Nuwakot district in Nepal. The helicopter was unable to find a stable or large enough area to land, so it hovered above the narrow hillside farmland, and army personnel threw food from the aircraft. May 1, 2015.
Earthquake-flattened homes are seen from an Indian military helicopter above a village in the Nuwakot district in Nepal. The helicopter was unable to find a stable or large enough area to land, so it hovered above the narrow hillside farmland, and army personnel threw food from the aircraft. May 1, 2015.Daniel Berehulak—The New York Times
An elderly villager, left, injured during the earthquake, and fellow villagers inside an Indian Army helicopter after being evacuated from Philim, Nepal, during a joint relief and rescue mission by Indian and Nepalese military. May 3, 2015.
An elderly villager, left, injured during the earthquake, and fellow villagers inside an Indian Army helicopter after being evacuated from Philim, Nepal, during a joint relief and rescue mission by Indian and Nepalese military. May 3, 2015.Daniel Berehulak—The New York Times
Residents searching for salvageable items in their earthquake-destroyed home in the village of Barpak, Nepal, the epicenter of the April 25 earthquake. May 6, 2015.
Residents searching for salvageable items in their earthquake-destroyed home in the village of Barpak, Nepal, the epicenter of the April 25 earthquake. May 6, 2015.Daniel Berehulak—The New York Times
Villagers look through a fence as a helicopter shuttling food relief and supplies prepares to take off from Charikot, Nepal. April 30, 2015.
Villagers look through a fence as a helicopter shuttling food relief and supplies prepares to take off from Charikot, Nepal. April 30, 2015.Daniel Berehulak—The New York Times
Saainli Gurung is consoled by neighbors and family after the body of her son Pur Bahadur Gurung, 26, was discovered under a trail leading through the rubble of houses in Barpak, Nepal. May 5, 2015.
Saainli Gurung is consoled by neighbors and family after the body of her son Pur Bahadur Gurung, 26, was discovered under a trail leading through the rubble of houses in Barpak, Nepal. May 5, 2015.Daniel Berehulak—The New York Times
Flames rise from funeral pyres during the cremation of earthquake victims at the Pashupatinath Temple on the banks of Bagmati River, a sacred Hindu cremation site in Kathmandu, Nepal. April 28, 2015.
Flames rise from funeral pyres during the cremation of earthquake victims at the Pashupatinath Temple on the banks of Bagmati River, a sacred Hindu cremation site in Kathmandu, Nepal. April 28, 2015.Daniel Berehulak—The New York Times
A man cycles past the cliffs of Bamian, Afghanistan. Two of the world’s oldest and largest Buddhas once stood here until they were destroyed by the Taliban in 1996. 2005.
A man cycles past the cliffs of Bamian, Afghanistan. Two of the world’s oldest and largest Buddhas once stood here until they were destroyed by the Taliban in 1996. 2005.Stephen Dupont—Contact Press Images
An orphanage for boys and girls on the western outskirts of Kabul, Afghanistan, for displaced children who have lost their families killed in the civil war. 1995.
An orphanage for boys and girls on the western outskirts of Kabul, Afghanistan, for displaced children who have lost their families killed in the civil war. 1995.Stephen Dupont—Contact Press Images
A Tajik refugee couple getting married inside Saki Refugee Camp, Mazar-i-Sharif, Afghanistan, 1993.
A Tajik refugee couple getting married inside Saki Refugee Camp, Mazar-i-Sharif, Afghanistan, 1993.Stephen Dupont—Contact Press Images
The Northern Alliance leader Ahmed Shah Massoud talking to his soldiers on a two-way jeep radio in Feyzabad, Afghanistan, 1998.
The Northern Alliance leader Ahmed Shah Massoud talking to his soldiers on a two-way jeep radio in Feyzabad, Afghanistan, 1998.Stephen Dupont—Contact Press Images
Early morning sunrise in Yangi Qale, Afghanistan. Yangi Qale was one of Massoud's main rebel held areas in northern Afghanistan at this time. 1998.
Early morning sunrise in Yangi Qale, Afghanistan. Yangi Qale was one of Massoud's main rebel held areas in northern Afghanistan at this time. 1998.Stephen Dupont—Contact Press Images
Northern Alliance leader Ahmed Shah Massoud with close friends after an early evening prayer service, Feyzabad, Afghanistan, 1998.
Northern Alliance leader Ahmed Shah Massoud with close friends after an early evening prayer service, Feyzabad, Afghanistan, 1998.Stephen Dupont—Contact Press Images
Afghan special forces searching a family compound for weapons or hiding taliban militants in the village of Gonbaz, Kandahar, Afghanistan, October, 2005.
Afghan special forces searching a family compound for weapons or hiding taliban militants in the village of Gonbaz, Kandahar, Afghanistan, Oct. 2005.Stephen Dupont—Contact Press Images
A wounded Afghan boy who had been shot in crossfire during a battle between US soldiers and Taliban in Gonbaz village, Kandahar Province, Oct. 1, 2005.
A wounded Afghan boy who had been shot in crossfire during a battle between US soldiers and Taliban in Gonbaz village, Kandahar Province, Oct. 1, 2005.Stephen Dupont—Contact Press Images
US forces of the 1st Battalion, 508th Infantry Regiment of the 173rd Airborne Brigade burn the bodies of two dead insurgents following an ambush on their convoy outside Gonbaz village, Kandahar Province, Afghanistan, Oct. 1, 2005.
US forces of the 1st Battalion, 508th Infantry Regiment of the 173rd Airborne Brigade burn the bodies of two dead insurgents following an ambush on their convoy outside Gonbaz village, Kandahar Province, Afghanistan, Oct. 1, 2005.Stephen Dupont—Contact Press Images
US Marines patrolling in Asadabad, Kunar province, Afghanistan, 2005.
US Marines patrolling in Asadabad, Kunar province, Afghanistan, 2005.Stephen Dupont—Contact Press Images
Amputee Northern Alliance soldier on frontline at Bagram Airbase, Afghanistan, 1998.
Amputee Northern Alliance soldier on frontline at Bagram Airbase, Afghanistan, 1998.Stephen Dupont—Contact Press Images
An Afghan refugee woman walking through Shamsatoo Afghan Refugee Camp in Peshawar, Pakistan, Jan. 2001.
An Afghan refugee woman walking through Shamsatoo Afghan Refugee Camp in Peshawar, Pakistan, Jan. 2001.Stephen Dupont—Contact Press Images
Migrants arrive by a Turkish boat near the village of Skala, on the Greek island of Lesbos. The Turkish boat owner delivered some 150 people to the Greek coast and tried to escape back to Turkey; he was arrested in Turkish waters. Nov. 16, 2015.
Migrants arrive by a Turkish boat near the village of Skala, on the Greek island of Lesbos. The Turkish boat owner delivered some 150 people to the Greek coast and tried to escape back to Turkey; he was arrested in Turkish waters. Nov. 16, 2015.Sergey Ponomarev—The New York Times
Desperate refugees board the train toward Zagreb at Tovarnik station on the border with Serbia. Sept. 18, 2015.
Desperate refugees board the train toward Zagreb at Tovarnik station on the border with Serbia. Sept. 18, 2015.Sergey Ponomarev—The New York Times
Ahmad Majid, in blue T-shirt at center, sleeps on a bus floor with his children, his brother Farid Majid, in green sweater at right, and other members of their family and dozens of other refugees, after leaving Budapest on the way to Vienna. Sept. 5, 2015.
Ahmad Majid, in blue T-shirt at center, sleeps on a bus floor with his children, his brother Farid Majid, in green sweater at right, and other members of their family and dozens of other refugees, after leaving Budapest on the way to Vienna. Sept. 5, 2015.Mauricio Lima—The New York Times
Migrants walking past a church, escorted by Slovenian riot police to a registration camp outside Dobova, Slovenia. Oct. 22, 2015.
Migrants walking past a church, escorted by Slovenian riot police to a registration camp outside Dobova, Slovenia. Oct. 22, 2015.Sergey Ponomarev—The New York Times
A tries to man shield his child from police beatings and tear gas at the border crossing in Horgos, Serbia. Sept. 16, 2015.
A tries to man shield his child from police beatings and tear gas at the border crossing in Horgos, Serbia. Sept. 16, 2015.Sergey Ponomarev—The New York Times
Refugees from Pakistan, Bangladesh, Morocco, Algeria and Somalia struggling for donations of water, blankets, diapers and some clothes on their 10th day encamped near the border in Idomeni, Greece. Nov. 28, 2015.
Refugees from Pakistan, Bangladesh, Morocco, Algeria and Somalia struggling for donations of water, blankets, diapers and some clothes on their 10th day encamped near the border in Idomeni, Greece. Nov. 28, 2015.Mauricio Lima—The New York Times
Members of the Majid family from Iraq sleep with their children in their arms in a wheat field as they wait to cross the barbed wire fence at Horgos, Serbia, into Hungary. Aug. 31, 2015.
Members of the Majid family from Iraq sleep with their children in their arms in a wheat field as they wait to cross the barbed wire fence at Horgos, Serbia, into Hungary. Aug. 31, 2015. Mauricio Lima—The New York Times
Refugees line up to be registered in a reception camp, in Gevgelija, Macedonia, so they can take a train to Belgrade, Serbia, and continue their journey through the Balkans toward Europe. Nov. 21, 2015.
Refugees line up to be registered in a reception camp, in Gevgelija, Macedonia, so they can take a train to Belgrade, Serbia, and continue their journey through the Balkans toward Europe. Nov. 21, 2015.Mauricio Lima—The New York Times
After battling rough seas and high winds from Turkey, migrants arrive by rubber raft on a jagged shoreline of the Greek island of Lesbos. Fearing capsize or puncture, some panicked and jumped into the cold water in desperation to reach land. This young boy made it, unlike hundreds of others. Oct. 1, 2015.
After battling rough seas and high winds from Turkey, migrants arrive by rubber raft on a jagged shoreline of the Greek island of Lesbos. Fearing capsize or puncture, some panicked and jumped into the cold water in desperation to reach land. This young boy made it, unlike hundreds of others. Oct. 1, 2015.Tyler Hicks—The New York Times
The body of a refugee who attempted to cross the Aegean Sea from Turkey, in the background, on the Greek island of Lesbos. Three other bodies, of a 12-year-old girl, a middle-age man and an elderly man, were also found that morning. Nov. 1, 2015.
The body of a refugee who attempted to cross the Aegean Sea from Turkey, in the background, on the Greek island of Lesbos. Three other bodies, of a 12-year-old girl, a middle-age man and an elderly man, were also found that morning. Nov. 1, 2015.Mauricio Lima—The New York Times
Laith Majid, an Iraqi, broke out in tears of joy, holding his son and daughter after they arrived safely in Kos, Greece, on a flimsy rubber boat. Aug. 15, 2015
Laith Majid, an Iraqi, broke out in tears of joy, holding his son and daughter after they arrived safely in Kos, Greece, on a flimsy rubber boat. Aug. 15, 2015Daniel Etter—The New York Times
A huge pile of discarded life vests, inner tubes and deflated rubber dinghies, the basic equipment that thousands of refugees have using to cross the Aegean sea from Turkey, at dusk on the Greek island of Lesbos. Nov. 7, 2015.
A huge pile of discarded life vests, inner tubes and deflated rubber dinghies, the basic equipment that thousands of refugees have using to cross the Aegean sea from Turkey, at dusk on the Greek island of Lesbos. Nov. 7, 2015.Mauricio Lima—The New York Times

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