Making Britain Better: Alan Duncan MP

by Alan Duncan

As Minister for International Development I recently visited the Acid Survivors Foundation (ASF) in Bangladesh. This amazing organisation is dedicated to combating and eradicating acid violence in Bangladesh. ASF has been funded by the UK through the Department for International Development (DFID) since 2004.

Acid attacks, in which sulphuric acid is thrown over the victim, cause the skin to melt, sometime exposing the bone and often blinding the victim in one or both eyes. While a relatively uncommon occurrence the UK, acid violence has grown into a potent crime culture in other parts of the world. In Bangladesh, an attack takes place every two days.