Ton Koene (1963) holds a degree in Humanitarian practice from Oxford University. After graduation, he worked for sixteen years (1989-2006) for Medicins Sans Frontieres (MSF), primarily as Head of Mission in twelve conflict areas including Afghanistan, Somalia, Bosnia, Chechnya, Angola and Sudan. He was responsible for all humanitarian operations in these countries.
Koene found himself increasingly drawn to photography and missed the creativity in the humanitarian world. In Februray 2006, he resigned from MSF and began working as a freelance photojournalist. He continued travelling to (post) conflict countries, exchanging the syringe for a camera.
His photo documentaries have covered such topics as prostitution in Nigera, coal mining in Bulgaria, malnutrition in Somalia, Genocide in Darfur and the Inuits of the North Pole. His humanity has always been the main focus of his features.
Ton Koene – Man Who Knows No Borders – Oddy Central
