In continuation of the program in 2007, following the Acid Survivors Conference “Let’s Build the Bridge” (Shetu Bandhon Gori) network was established and conducted by survivors themselves. Incidents of acid violence occurs in different parts of the country therefore a network is a vital strategy to mobilize the survivors. Shetu Bondhon Gori (Let’s Build the Bridge) is unique in the sense that it is the first network for survivors established by survivors of acid violence. It is designed to address these key factors that determine the realities and affect the recovery of survivors firstly Psychological recovery, secondly the socio-economic empowerment. Today the network has 275 members in 7 Districts (Pabna, Sirajgonj , Barisal, Patuakhali, Sathkhira, Dinajpur and Dhaka) supporting each other to combat acid violence and rebuild their lives and livelihoods.
The initiative ‘Shetu Bandhan Gori’ and its allied organisations, The UAE-Bangladesh Investment Company Limited (UBICO), Swedish Magazine (Amelia) and Dutch Bangla Bank Limited (DBBL) has been working together since 2007 in the divisions of Barisal, Rajshahi , Khulna, and Dhaka. The villages reached include Devnagar, Tala, Chowbaria, Patuakhali, Barisal Sadar, Kaliganj along with the districts of Pabna, Sirajgonj , Barisal, Patuakhali, Sathkhira, Dinajpur and Dhaka (Secretariat). The Acid attack survivors are the vulnerable groups who are to be brought under one unified network for sustainable rehabilitation. The focus areas of intervention involves creating and enabling livelihood inducing environment for acid survivors in Bangladesh.
