Similarly, Abdur Rob Byapari from Kaliganj, Gazipur, lost a testicle in an acid attack initiated by his own child amidst a family dispute in 2004. The attack also injured his three-month-old daughter. Despite the severity of these incidents, both Rani and Byapari have yet to receive justice and continue to seek treatment at the Acid Survivors Foundation (ASF) in Dhaka.
ASF, which previously operated a 20-bed hospital in Banani, had to relocate to a smaller facility in Mirpur due to a funding crisis during the Covid-19 pandemic. ASF Executive Director Sarder Jahangir Hossain highlighted the ongoing support from Acteus Group, a Singapore-based supplier of industrial equipment. Acteus Group’s CEO, Yann Bary, reaffirmed their commitment to aiding acid attack survivors through their Acteus Smiles CSR initiative.
The initiative aims to strengthen emotional bonds with Bangladeshis and support previous efforts rather than focusing solely on financial gain. Acteus’s support has enabled ASF to provide better care for survivors. However, additional funding is needed to expand operations and establish a comprehensive medical facility offering physiotherapy, rehabilitation, and counseling services tailored for acid attack survivors. This facility would also provide employment opportunities for survivors.
ASF and Acteus are advocating for stronger control over acid access in Bangladesh and urging authorities to hold regular National Acid Council meetings, which have been neglected for over five years. ASF also calls for streamlined legal procedures to ensure justice for survivors.
Acteus Group’s ongoing involvement in Bangladesh, which began in 2015, includes various humanitarian initiatives under their Acteus Smiles program. This program supports women’s empowerment, children’s education, and the improvement of living conditions for underprivileged communities.
During a recent visit to ASF, representatives from Acteus were warmly welcomed and presented with a PowerPoint showcasing the foundation’s work. Established in 1999, ASF assists over 4,000 survivors and their families, combating the widespread issue of acid violence in Bangladesh. Acteus Group remains dedicated to supporting these efforts and exploring future areas of collaboration to empower women and underprivileged children in Bangladesh and beyond.
