A BRADFORD filmmaker visited the world’s largest refugee camp to capture the work of distributors in the build up to Ramadhan.
Pishdaad Modaressi, who lives in Bradford, visited Bangladesh with the Muslim charity SKT which provides aid to countries around the world.
The visit to Bangladesh covered numerous areas, one being the world’s largest refugee camp in Bangladesh's Cox's Bazar District, home to thousands of refugees.
SKT visited the site with aid workers and distributed hot meals, water and blankets to the refugees.
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Pishdaad said: “They tell you what to expect but when you see it, it goes beyond that.
“They tell you it’s the world’s largest refugee camp but hearing it and seeing are very different.
“These people are stuck in an open-air prison.
“When you’re there your problems in the UK seem as though they are miles away, you become appreciative of what you have got.
“Whatever you give the refugees, they are grateful - they smile and say thank you.”
Being in the refugee camp and visiting an orphanage has had a huge impact on Pishdaad. Though he was only there to capture footage for the charity, he feels that he had time to reflect; when he wasn’t with his camera and he was speaking to children and people, he understood just how important the work of international charity is.
He said: “It’s an eye-opening experience.
“People have stereotypical views of refugees, but they are so determined and when I was speaking with them, they all just wanted a job.
“They felt as though they were wasting their lives and their ambition sat in the camp.
“It was sad, they were asking me if I could take them with me, I had to go through so much security before I could even get in, never mind take them out.
“It makes you think a lot.
“When you’re with them, you want to talk with them and smile but when you go back and leave them you really think about the lives they are living.
“It’s very humbling.”
The quiet moments Pishdaad had alone in the bustling city were some that will stay with him for the rest of his life.
“I had a couple of moments where I was stood outside and I was just watching it pass by, and it gives my work purpose.
“What I’m doing here is important and when people see the work SKT is doing, they’ll want to donate and help out.
“Any and every little thing makes a difference to the lives of people in these camps.”
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