Standing by Rana Plaza disaster survivors

Ten years have passed since the Rana Plaza tragedy happened. But the survivors and families of deceased workers are yet to get compensation, proper treatment and rehabilitation. On 24 April 2013, a total of 1,134 people were killed and at least another 2,000 were injured in the collapse of the eight-storey Rana Plaza building, located in Savar not far from the Dhaka city. Around 54.5 per cent of the survivors are still unemployed, according to a survey, conducted by the Institute of Social Business on behalf of ActionAid Bangladesh. The key reason for those who are currently jobless is their health condition. In fact, the survivors' physical condition remains barrier to employment.
The Rana Plaza collapse survivors who reported declining physical health conditions are complaining of waist pain, headache, pain in hand and leg and back pain as some of the major problems. Many of the survivors are still suffering from psychological trauma. The most important thing is that they have not been able to find economic opportunities to move on. The lack of adequate social protection schemes in Bangladesh has forced many injured Rana Plaza survivors to fend for themselves. They are now struggling to find a decent livelihood. The authorities concerned should come forward and stand by the survivors as they need medical care and financial support.
Afroza Sheikh,
Dania, Dhaka,
ilcbd2008@gmail.com