Building collapse in Savar, Bangladesh.

 

On Wednesday 24 April 2013, an 8 storey building housing several garment factories collapsed in Savar, a sub-district on the outskirts (24 km to the northwest) of the Bangladeshi capital Dhaka. An estimated 3,000 people were inside the building at the time of the collapse. Media reports place the death toll from the disaster at more than 380 people as of 29 April, with dozens still unaccounted for. Whilst ActionAid does not have an Local Rights Program in the affected area, we have been responding to the disaster.

 

A five-member team from ActionAid Bangladesh reached the spot immediately after the incident.

 

Two EFAST groups (Emergency First Action Support Team) are working everyday in the spot on rotational basis and are keeping close liaison with the Department of the Fire Service and Civil Defense (FSCD), BGB and Army personnel.

 

ActionAid's rescue team is providing emergency drinking water, dry food and first-aid box to the volunteers. In addition to this, ActionAid Bangladesh is continuing to supply more crucial rescue-safety equipment to FSCD rescue operation team: hydraulic jack, electric concrete cutter, hacksaw blade, lock cutter blade, charger fan, gloves, masks etc...

 

In collaboration with its partners, ActionAid Bangladesh is carrying forward a need-assessment on the victims to provide them psycho-social care and rehabilitation support.

 

If you would like to contribute to the rescue effort and support the ActionAid’s work in Dhaka, please donate via our Emergency Action Fund.

 

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Photo: Amiruzzaman Tamal,

Deputy Manager-Communications, ActionAid Bangladesh

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