Acid Survivors Foundation facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Acid Survivors Foundation (ASF)

Founded	Dhaka, Bangladesh (May 1999)
Type	Non-profit, Interest group
Location	Administrative headquarters in Dhaka, Bangladesh
Region	Bangladesh
Services	Treats victims of acid violence and helps them reintegrate themselves into normal life
Fields	Protecting human rights
Key people	Sir John Morrison, Founding Executive Director. Sarder Jahangir Hossain, Executive Director. Advocate Fawzia Karim Firoz, Chairperson, Board of Trustees.

The Acid Survivors Foundation (ASF) is a group in Bangladesh that helps people who have been hurt in acid attacks. It is a non-governmental organization, which means it's not part of the government. Its goal is to stop these attacks from happening and to give survivors the medical care and legal help they need to rebuild their lives.

How the Foundation Began

The Acid Survivors Foundation was started in Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, in May 1999. A British doctor named Dr. John Morrison founded it with help from another surgeon, Dr. Ronald Hiles, and a group of caring citizens from Bangladesh. Big organizations like UNICEF and the Canadian International Development Agency also gave their support.

A famous human rights worker in Bangladesh, Nasreen Huq, helped tell the world about ASF's important work. Because of their efforts, one of ASF's leaders, Monira Rahman, received a Human Rights Award from Amnesty International in 2005.

The way ASF works in Bangladesh has been so successful that it has been used as a model for similar groups in other countries like Uganda, Cambodia, and Pakistan.

Finding and Helping Survivors Quickly

When an acid attack happens, it's very important to get help fast. ASF worked with another large organization called BRAC to create a system to find out about an attack within 24 hours.

Within 48 hours, the team investigates what happened and brings the survivor to the ASF hospital in Dhaka. They also have a 24/7 hotline that anyone can call to report an attack. This system helps get victims the care they need as soon as possible.

The ASF Hospital

Survivors of acid attacks need special medical care. This includes reconstructive surgery to help repair their skin, and physiotherapy to help them move their bodies again. They often need special care for their eyes, ears, nose, or other parts of their body.

When ASF started in 1999, there was only one small 8-bed unit in the whole country for burn injuries at the Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH). To help with this problem, ASF opened a 20-bed center in November 1999. This center is known as "Thikana," which means "destination" in the Bengali.

Helping with Emotional Healing

Acid attacks cause deep emotional pain for survivors and their families, not just physical injuries. The healing process can be long and difficult. To help with this, ASF provides psychological support.

ASF has a clinical psychologist and counselors who talk with survivors and their families to help them deal with the trauma. They also use music and art therapy at the hospital, which gives patients a way to express their feelings and begin to heal.

Rebuilding Lives

After an attack, a person often cannot work or go to school for a while. ASF helps them get back on their feet. This process is called rehabilitation and reintegration.

ASF has found that in many cases, the person who did the attack was someone the victim knew. This can make it very hard for a survivor to return home. ASF works with the government and other groups to provide survivors with loans that don't have interest. This helps them start a small business or find a new way to earn money.

How ASF Helps Survivors Rebuild

ASF helps people become spokespersons for change. By sharing their stories, survivors can build self-confidence and show the world why this issue is so important. ASF also works with the government and businesses to create more opportunities for survivors.

ASF also gives emergency money to survivors who are the main provider for their family. They also help younger survivors continue their education.

Fighting for Justice

To stop acid violence, it's important that the people who commit these acts are brought to justice. Before 2002, there were no specific laws in Bangladesh for acid attacks.

ASF, along with newspapers like Prothom Alo and other groups, campaigned for new laws. On International Women's Day, they organized a march of over 5,000 people, including 100 acid attack survivors, to demand change.

Their hard work paid off. On April 17, 2002, two new laws were created: the Acid Crime Control Act (ACCA) and the Acid Control Act (ACA). Bangladesh became the first country in the world to have specific laws against acid attacks. ASF continues to provide legal support to survivors to make sure they get justice.

Raising Awareness

ASF works hard to teach the public about acid violence. They run campaigns on the radio, television, and in newspapers to make sure everyone understands the problem. These campaigns have helped lower the number of acid attacks over the years.

School and College Campaigns

ASF visits schools and colleges to talk to students. They teach them about the causes of acid violence and how to prevent it. They also encourage students to be kind and supportive to survivors, and not to treat anyone differently because of scars.

The "Use Water" Campaign

One of the most important messages from ASF is simple: use water. If an attack happens, pouring lots of water on the affected area right away can make a huge difference.

Here's what they advise:

• Pour huge amounts of water over the burned skin for at least 30 minutes.
• If acid gets in the eyes, hold the eyelids open and wash them with water for at least 30 minutes.
• If acid is swallowed, drink a lot of water and vomit immediately.

This simple action can reduce the severity of the injury and help the person heal faster.

International Support

A British government official plays a game with survivors of acid attacks at the ASF Hospital in Dhaka, Bangladesh in 2011.

ASF's work has been recognized all over the world.

• United Kingdom: British officials have visited the ASF hospital. In 2011, Princess Anne visited for the second time to see the great work being done. The English Cricket Team also visited to meet with survivors.
• France: In 2011, ASF received the Human Rights Prize of the French Republic, a very important award for their work in protecting people's rights.
• World's Children's Prize: In 2011, Dr. Monira Rahman of ASF was honored as a Children's Rights Hero in Sweden for her dedication to helping young survivors.

ASF receives the Human Rights Prize of the French Republic in 2011.

Statistics

The table below shows the number of acid attacks in Bangladesh from 1999 to 2018. Thanks to the work of ASF and other groups, the number of incidents has gone down significantly over the years.

Acid Attacks from 1999 to 2018

See also

In Spanish: Fundación Sobrevivientes de Ácido para niños