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The Bhopal Medical Appeal supports survivors of the Bhopal gas disaster in their efforts to provide medical care to those left chronically sick by gas exposure, as well as the many thousands who are being damaged by water which has been poisoned. Our free Sambhavna Clinic has alleviated the suffering of 32,000 people who otherwise would have had little or no help, pioneering safe and effective treatments for many illnesses and working to improve health in local communities. Thanks to a successful 2009 Radio 4 Appeal, we began also giving core support to Chingari Trust, which is now able to offer daily therapies and special education to 250 children who have been damaged by gas and contaminated water. 

Sambhavna holds regular outreach clinics in gas and contamination-affected communities, providing health education, testing and treatment and covering gynaecology, ophthalmology, sonology and pathology, services that are otherwise out-of-reach for Bhopal’s poorer residents.

Photo: Courtesy of Ed Hanley

Both Champa and Rashida lost a number of close family members in the massive gas leak from the Union Carbide pesticides factory in Bhopal. Despite personal tragedy, illiteracy and ill-health they have led survivors’ struggles for justice and equality, using prize money from an international environmental award to found The Chingari Trust, which provides rehabilitation to children suffering physical and mental problems due to chemical exposure.

Photo: courtesy of Barrie Watts

Sameer is held by his mother Wahida at their home in the Jamalpura neighbourhood of Bhopal. Chingari Trust has so far identified and registered 800 children born damaged due to gas and water contamination, and thanks to the generosity of thousands of individuals in the UK is able to offer, entirely free of cost, family support, therapies and special education at its Rehabilitation Centre in Bhopal.

Photo: ©Giles Clarke, Getty Images / Bhopal Medical Appeal