Picture power: Afghan burial

The World Press Photo foundation celebrates the 50th anniversary of its annual photographic competition this year.

In the fourth of five pieces by photographers talking about their award-winning work, Erik Refner describes how he captured the moving image of a one-year-old refugee from Afghanistan being prepared for burial in 2001.

The child's family, originally from northern Afghanistan, had sought refuge from the political situation and the drought afflicting the country.

Roger Hutchings, chairman of the World Press Photo jury, wrote of Refner's picture: "The picture he made reached out to us. It is simple, iconic and symbolic. It points towards matters which need to be addressed and, with the benefit of hindsight, it reproaches us for having ignored Afghanistan since the end of the Cold War. It also reminds us what a photographer is."

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