GIZ, CRP commemorate Rana Plaza collapse
509 survivors receive
treatment, 390 given
training
UNB
The Deutsche Gesellschaft fr Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) together with Centre for the Rehabilitation of the Paralysed (CRP) and other partners yesterday jointly commemorated the third anniversary of the Rana Plaza collapse on the CRP premises at Mirpur in the city, reports UNB.
The organiaations presented findings of a research on the current health and socio-economic status of the supported 515 Rana Plaza survivors.
After the Rana Plaza collapse on April 24, 2013, Germany made funds available for the rehabilitation of survivors as well as the family members of the deceased garment workers.
Two researches were conducted on this particular issue - one by GIZ in collaboration with CRP and four other NGOs on 515 Rana Plaza survivors, and another by CRP alone on 509 individuals.
Till date, 509 survivors of the Rana Plaza collapse have been provided with treatment and 390 people with vocational training, according to GIZ.
It was revealed at the event that the majority of the supported Rana Plaza survivors are currently engaged in entrepreneurial businesses earning a substantial amount for their livelihoods.
According to the survey, 71 per cent of the respondent of Rana Plaza survivors are earning at present, most of whom are running their own business, while six percent have gone back to the readymade garment (RMG) industry.
About 13 per cent of the respondents are currently jobless because of their fragile mental health. GIZ intends to support these marginalised people through CRPs Inclusive Job Centre located at Mirpur.
Social Affairs Ministry Additional Secretary Nasrin Ara Surat Amin, Head of Delegation of International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Bangladesh Ikhtiyar Asnalov, Senior Vice President of BGMEA Faruque Hassan and others were present.
CRP Executive Director Shafiqul Islam emphasised emergency rehabilitation support and long-term socioeconomic reintegration assistance to the Rana Plaza survivors and mentioned that CRP is committed to continuing the need-based support as per the recent study findings.
So far, BGMEA has spent Tk 15 crore for salary, treatment and rehabilitation of the victims of Rana Plaza collapse.
Programme Coordinator of GIZ Dr Jochen Weikert said they are happy to find out that most of the 515 survivors we supported together with our partners found their livelihoods and social inclusion.
