Italian Photojournalist Nicola Longobardi focuses on reportage in healthcare, environmental, political topics especially in Europe and Asia. He has been documenting emerging events that impact the world, covering aftermath of typhoon Bo Pha in Philippines, Mers in Seoul, Myanmar elections, Occupy Central in HK, to name a few. His works have been featured in international media including Helsingin Sanomat, El Tiempo, Corriere della Sera, Al Jazeera, New York Times, and many more. Nicola found his passion and profession early in his life. After graduating from John Kaverdash Academy of Photojournalism, Nicola started his career as a photographer in fashion and advertising industries where he mastered the aesthetic aspect of storytelling. “The essence of a photo is in the story it tells.” Nicolas lives by his mantra in each and every project he takes on.
In the strip of land that runs from the town of Laiza - currently the headquarters of the K.I.A. (Kachin Independence Army) - to Mayjayang, a small village near the border with China, K.I.A. has full control of the territory. Here to address the widespread problem of heroin, which has by now become a kind of social evil, a series of draconian laws have been adopted which, however, seem only to be intended to punish the consumers, of any kind. In rehab centres run by the army not only addicts end up there but also occasional users. Whatever the reason or the frequency with which these prohibited substances are taken, if during a control an individual tests positive to the consumption he is forced to spend a minimum period of six months in one of these rehab centres, in which the only treatment is isolation, work and abstinence.
On June 9th, 2011, the Burma Army refueled the long-term conflict with the Kachins, by attacking Ta Peng Dem. The objective of new attacks is the control over energy resources within the Kachin area, in the North-East of Myanmar. The war has reduced the Kachin territory to a thin strip of land near the China borders, and led to 100,000 IDPs, now living in camps under the KIO control. Internal Displacement is not the only social issue caused by the conflict, as drug addiction has become an even more insidious, although less visible, problem for the Kachin people. Among a population of about 2 million, each household is estimated to have at least one heroin addict member. In the past few years, KIO opened up several Rehab Centers, where addicts are confined for months and “rehabilitated” through the Bible teachings.
Typhoon Bopha - locally called "Pablo" - tore Mindanao island down on December 4th 2012, leaving behind almost 2000 dead and over 2600 injured. Almost two months after Pablo struck the island survivors still living inside makeshift evacuation centers inside public facilities such as stadiums, gyms, and classrooms. Government interventions merely consist in food and money distributions to the people. 216.000 houses were destroyed by powerful winds or swamped out by rivers of mud collapsed from the mountains. Families whom lost everything is waiting to get back to their normal lives but after several weeks the patience of survivors is changing in rage.