Acid attacks are perpetrated in a number of countries and more often than not against women by their partners or other family members. While all forms of violence against women are deplorable acid attacks are particularly abhorrent and require a level of premeditation and planning unsurpassed by many other forms of violence. They leave a legacy of pain, disfigurement and abject misery for the vast majority of survivors. Reconstructive surgery and a package of measures put together to support such survivors are the crucial first step towards rebuilding their lives.

  Islamic Help has been providing specialist medical and surgical support to acid burns victims since 2009. Acid burns are painful; burnt and scarred tissue is constricting and restricting of movement of the head, limbs, neck and other parts affected by the attack. In addition, facial burns and scarring have a visual impact on survivors and others that see them. Early surgical intervention is essential and the surgery we have been providing over the last few years, led by world renowned surgeon Dr Muhammad Ali Jawad, has had a significant impact on survivors. Apart from the obvious impact on a physical level our intervention is key to survivors re-gaining their confidence and to rebuilding their lives. We also provide survivors with opportunities to explore income generation, earn a livelihood and move towards self-sufficiency so that they can support themselves and be fully fledged members of society once again.

Did you know that Islamic Help's work was featured in an Oscar winning documentary called Saving Face?

A short documentary examines the issue of acid violence in Pakistan and the efforts of plastic surgeon Dr. Mohammad Jawad to improve the victims' lives