Photographers urged to raise money for journalists killed in Georgia

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Editorial Photographers UK and Ireland (EPUK) has launched an appeal to help the families of photographer Sasha Klimchuk (right, who was also known as Alexander) and reporter Giga Chikhladze (left), who were killed in the recent conflict in Georgia.

Klimchuk, 27, who ran Caucasus Images, an independent photography agency in Tbilisi and was freelancing for Russian news agency ITAR-TASS at the time of his death; and Chikhladze, who was freelancing for Russian Newsweek , were both shot dead in the same incident on August 9 in South Ossetia - two days after fighting broke out in the area.

The pair had previously made a pact to support each other's families in the event of one of them being killed.

Response to the EPUK campaign, which was set up because there is no government support for the families of killed self-employed journalists, has so far been impressive, Nick McGowan-Lowe, EPUK website editor, told Journalism.co.uk. "EPUK was founded nine years ago on the principle of photographers helping others and I'm always humbled by how much photographers are keen to assist others in their profession, even those they may never have met, and who are based hundreds or thousands of miles away," he said.

Mark Pinder, a friend who had worked with Klimchuk, described how rates for photographers in Georgia are very low.

"I'm not sure what deal Sasha was on with ITAR-TASS when he died in South Ossetia, but when we met, he was working for them regularly, generally being paid by the picture somewhere around $15/$20 each.

"Sasha and Giga were the only breadwinners in their respective families and their deaths create great problems and hardships for them in a country where the welfare state is largely non-existent and any amount - however small - would be very much appreciated to help the families in the short term."

Pinder said Klimchuk reminded him of himself at a younger age: "[He] was a very experienced photographer, working in a difficult and dangerous part of the world. You grow up quickly working in journalism in the Caucasus."

In an article on the campaign by EPUK , Zaza Gachechiladze, publisher of the English-language newspaper, The Messenger

, ‘remembers Giga Chikhladze as a talented, intelligent, risky journalist who did not avoid challenges.’

EPUK has started the fund with a donation of £200 and further donations can be made here.