News
Helping Survivors of Acid Attacks
“As a trustee of Acid Survivors Trust International, I was proud to publically support the victims of ASFU… This is an avoidable crime; why does concentrated acid have to be so freely and cheaply available? Tanzania does not have a problem so why does Uganda?”
Some readers may have watched a recent Channel 4 documentary My Beautiful Face featuring 25-year old British model Katie Piper and the changes that an acid attack in the UK brought to her life.
The Wetherby News has previously featured the exploits of Bramham woman Moira Pool in Uganda where she has been supporting the victims of revenge acid attacks through the Acid Survivors Foundation (ASFU) in Kampala.
Moira said: “Watching the recent Channel 4 program showed me what wonderful care and access to justice we have in the UK compared to what the vast majority of Ugandans can expect should they experience such an attack.”
According to Moira, industrial-strength acid is deliberately thrown at people in Uganda, usually in revenge attacks and it has a catastrophic effect on human flesh.
It causes skin tissue to melt, often exposes the bones below the flesh, sometimes even dissolving it. Usually the face is the main target; and if it reaches the eyes, it often causes permanent blindness. Scars – if not permanent, take a long time to heal.
But the national referral hospital in Kampala only offers its specialist burns unit and qualified plastic surgeons in return for a flat fee.
“Many survivors cannot afford treatment,” said Moira. “Which is why ASFU raises its funds to help provide medical support and access to justice.
“Clashes of priorities between police surgeons who need evidence as fresh as possible, medical staff who need to operate as quickly as possible, fear of reprisals by families of victims as perpetrators often remain in communities, police files that go missing, are only some of the factors that make access to justice difficult.”
Moira attended an awareness raising day against acid violence in Kampala during her last visit to Uganda just a few weeks ago. The day involved a march with victims of acid violence, women’s groups, Acid Survivors Foundation staff and supporters.
Following a short opening address by the internal affairs state minister, a sea of green and white t-shirts followed a colourful brass band and marched around the city centre streets in a peaceful demonstration against acid attacks.
“As a trustee of Acid Survivors Trust International, I was proud to publically support the victims of ASFU, doing my best to ensure my placard was seen by as many people as possible including the TV cameramen,” said Moira.
“It was good to see the quality and extent of TV coverage ASFU received and the following day at a workshop ASFU presented its research findings on the control and use of acid from importation (Uganda does not manufacture any), transport, storage, distribution to use of acid.”
Moira met senior officials from the Ugandan police, judiciary and Government plus representatives from the Human Rights Commission and the Press and everyone agreed something had to be done urgently.
“This is an avoidable crime; why does concentrated acid have to be so freely and cheaply available? Tanzania does not have a problem so why does Uganda?” Said Moira.
“It is good that all these factors were recognised and there was commitment to act. Hopefully progress has been made with the National Standards Bureau promising to impose controls.”
A report on the problem will be published in December but it remains to be seen how effective ASFU’s lobbying and advocacy campaign has been in Uganda.
Meanwhile there are many survivors who appreciate ASFU’s work. Previously a very successful cobbler, Mohamed now works as a tailor making pressure garments that help reduce scarring from burns.
It tool him all his savings and four years to get justice. He suffered pain, stigma, loss of sight in one eye and divorce (his brother-in-law was the perpetrator).
Recently he remarried another victim Fatuma who is blind and severely disfigured, he is back making shoes to supplement his income and he feels they have their lives back thanks to ASFU.
Moira said, “Seeing the pair of them dance at the office celebrations of their marriage was such joy, it makes being here so worthwhile – if you only help one person you have made a difference.”
Wetherby News, Friday 20th November 2009
Posted on December 17th 2009 by Test Member in Media coverage
