Image courtesy of International Committee of the Red Cross
In the heart of conflict zones, amid the rubble of war-ravaged cities, lies a story that often goes untold. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) brings these hidden narratives to the forefront with Broken Cities, an immersive 3D experience. Through the lens of 35,000 layered photographs, this exhibit exposes the stark realities of urban warfare and the resilience of those who survive it.
Broken Cities leads viewers through a virtual exploration of Mosul’s Ibn Sina Teaching Hospital, Aleppo’s Old Bazaar, and a residential tower in Gaza. These poignant scenes were captured by ICRC field teams using drones and handheld cameras in the summer of 2022.
The project’s segments tell compelling stories: the lost identity of Aleppo Old Bazaar, the impact of Mosul’s Ibn Sina Teaching Hospital’s destruction on public healthcare, and the mental toll of displacement in Gaza. These stories are not just about destruction; they are about the human capacity to endure, rebuild, and hope.
At the core of this experience is the technique of photogrammetry, a non-destructive method that captures detailed dimensions and features of spaces through thousands of photographs. The digital models created for Broken Cities serve as a tribute to the civilians who endured the horrors of conflict.
The exhibit not only portrays the physical destruction but also sheds light on the enduring human spirit. Stories of endurance, solidarity, and revival emerge from civilians offer a glimpse into the challenges of rebuilding lives long after the war ceases.
Image courtesy of International Committee of the Red Cross
“Everything was buried under the rubble. I lost hope in everything. I will not be able to start from scratch,” Feryal Al-Sayegh, owner of an apartment in the Al-Mena tower, told the organization. “I lived in this flat for nearly 30 years. My lifelong investment is gone. It was all flattened out, as if it were never there. All my memories were buried. Memories of all my life, everything I remember was in my home.”
“The elders say it’s too late for them to rebuild and restart their business. They hope their sons will do it,” said Hasan Ahman Swaiden, a Souk shop owner. “Everything in life dies, but not the Souks; they always come back to life.”
While these people were identified at the time as survivors, the International Red Cross is still trying to determine if they are alive today.
The project was created ahead of the escalation in violation in October 2023. As of the time of writing, the Gaza building is still standing.
Fabrizio Carboni, ICRC’s regional director for the Near and Middle East, emphasizes that while cities like Aleppo, Gaza, and Mosul make headlines during war, the long-term needs and struggles of their residents are often overlooked. “Broken Cities urges us to confront the hidden human toll of war in cities and the urgent need for change,” Carboni comments.
Serving as a visual call to action, Broken Cities challenges viewers to confront the reality of war in urban areas and the importance of protecting civilians. The public is urged to take a journey into the heart of human resilience and take heed of the plea for a more humane approach to conflict resolution.
by rrollins
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