THE BHOPAL MEDICAL APPEAL – Supporting free medical care for the survivors of the worlds worse chemical disaster the Bhopal Gas Tragedy

Raghu Rai

This famous, terrible and tender picture was taken by Magnum photographer Raghu Rai on the morning of December 3rd, 1984, after the night of horror in Bhopal when a huge cloud of poison gas 500 times more toxic than hydrogen cyanide spewed from a factory belonging to Union Carbide Corporation.

Thousands died in hideous ways. As the sun rose on streets full of corpses, Raghu found himself in a graveyard where a man was burying his young daughter. The father had covered the tiny body but then, unable to bear parting from her, brushed the earth away for one last look.

For the Bhopalis this picture has come to symbolise over 30 years of unimaginable suffering, an injustice never righted, crimes unpunished, and a community that most of the world has forgotten.

Children of Bhopal

Something very shameful is happening in Bhopal and hardly anyone knows about it. Children are being born dead and malformed in numbers not seen since the spate of horrific births that followed the gas catastrophe of 1984.

Mention Bhopal and most people think of the horrific events of 3rd December 1984, when the city was devastated by a huge leak of poison gas from a pesticide factory owned by US chemical giant Union Carbide.

Thousands died in agony, choking, blinded by gas that burned their eyes and seared their lungs. More than half a million were injured. Today in the city, upwards of 150,000 people are still chronically ill from the injuries suffered on that night. The death toll has reached more than 25,000.

Is a Bhopal survivor’s life worth 100 times less than that of an Alaskan sea bird?

In the website of the International Campaign for Justice (ICJB) a shocking fact reveals that: “Corporations value a Bhopal survivor’s life at 100 times less than that of an Alaskan sea bird. This seems unbelievable but it’s actually true. In 1989 Exxon spent $51,000 on the rehabilitation of each bird affected by its oil disaster. […]

Jumble Joy in Pilton!

Back in March we posted the heart-warming tale of Fiona Case, one of the BMA’s most dedicated fundraisers, and now we can update the story with her latest endeavour. In April, Fiona organised a jumble sale in her home town of Pilton in Somerset which sounds to have been quite an occasion. “We had an […]

Remember Bhopal Museum- because the cost of forgetting is huge!

The Remember Bhopal Museum tells the story of the Bhopal Disaster and its aftermath. It has been collectively curated by members of the communities affected by the tragedy. The museum tells stories of the disaster and of the people’s movement for justice and corporate accountability which has persisted to this day. The museum features an […]

Disaster Survivors Urgently Need Your Help to Prevent Historic Injustice

Is the forthcoming Curative Petition the last chance for the survivors of the Bhopal Disaster to get adequate and fair compensation? The International Campaign for justice in Bhopal (ICJB) certainly thinks so and has launched a campaign asking for online help. ICJB is calling for the correct figures for deaths, injury and ensuing chronic illness […]

World Autism Awareness Day – “Together We Can”

Joined by the international community, hundreds of thousands of landmarks, buildings, homes and communities around the world, light blue in recognition of people living with autism. Autism-friendly events and educational activities take place all month to increase understanding and acceptance and foster worldwide support. On the twelfth annual World Autism Awareness Day, April 2, 2019 special […]

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