Savar survivors: supports poured in; coordination a big problem

Though various government and private sector organisations promptly came forward with their various supports for the survivors of the Rana Plaza collapse, lack of proper coordination is likely to take its toll on the good gesture, says a survey report on the human tragedy.

The report said the major challenge could be to ensure proper coordination among these agencies and organisations for smooth and sound management of these aid and supports.

It says workers’ federations or associations could be engaged for ensuring proper coordination as there have been overlapping in selection of the survivors and package design.

ActionAid Bangladesh, Concern Universal and Concern Worldwide on behalf of National Alliance for Risk Reduction Initiatives conducted the survey titled ‘Rapid Need Assessment on Survivors of Savar Building Collapse.’

It says there is an urgent need for non-medical support, mainly food and cash, as most of the respondents of the survey were found worried as they neither have any money nor jobs.

Still reeling under trauma, now they have to think about their livelihoods for their immediate survival, says the report conducted among 1446 survivors.

Their demands also vary from one respondent to another, for example, pregnant and lactating mothers have different needs than the young, unmarried men and women. A large number of respondents (736) stressed the need for compensation by the owners and other authorities concerned like BGMEA.

Immediately after the collapse, the local people initiated the rescue operations. Soon, government agencies, including the Bangladesh Army, Bangladesh Navy, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), Fire Service and Civil Defence (FSCD), and trained volunteers joined the operations in conducting search, rescue, relief, transfer and evacuation.

The nine-storey building collapsed on April 24 killing at least 1,127 workers and leaving 98 missing. A total of 2,438 workers were recused from the rubble of the collapsed building.

Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief, Department of Disaster Management, World Health Organisation (WHO), ActionAid Bangladesh, Islamic Relief Bangladesh, Bangladesh Red Crescent Society, individuals and other organisations provided support with dry food, water, medicine, cash, juice, cloths, torch lights and rescue instruments.

Source: UNB Connect