Since  the news went out that photographer Joao Silva had been severely wounded when he stepped on a mine in Afghanistan on Saturday, colleagues have sent messages of support to Silva’s Facebook page and The New York Times, where Silva is on contract.  Photographer Greg Marinovich says he and other friends of Silva’s have been “inundated with requests by people who would like to support Joao.”  They have now set up a fund to handle tax-deductible donations, and created a photo-licensing plan to generate money for Silva’s family while he is not working.

Though The New York Times is covering Silva’s medical expenses, Marinovich notes on the Story Taxi web site: “The financial stability of a freelance journalist is always a precarious one.” He adds, “Should Joao later feel that your generosity would be welcomed elsewhere, we will donate the funds to a charity of his choice.”

Related story:
Photographer Joao Silva Wounded in Afghanistan