Nilufar Yeasmin was 25 when Rana Plaza collapsed. She was an operator at Phantom Apparels on the fourth floor of the building.

"I was stuck under the rubble for three days," she recalled her experience, "The rescue workers had found me unconscious."

She sustained severe injuries on her head and spine, and was treated at Combined Military Hospital at the time.

But for the last year, she has not been able to seek the medical help that is required for long-term patients of trauma.

"My husband is a day labourer. During this pandemic, his income isn't enough to pay for treatment expenses," explained Nilufar, now 33 years old.

Her husband hasn't found work in the majority of days since this year's lockdown began in early April.

Nilufar is a mother of two. She speaks proudly of her two daughters, one a sixth-grader, another in grade four. "They are brilliant students and they study hard. They want to continue education and if I had more financial support it would help them."

Since the accident in 2013, Nilufar has received a total of Tk 95,000 in donations collected in four bouts throughout the years.

"When I came out alive from that tragedy, I thought I was lucky to be alive. Now I think I'm unlucky to have survived it," she said while speaking to this correspondent at her rented house in Savar's Vatpara area recently.

"People's lives are often cut short due to illness. So I can make peace with not receiving treatment. But I worry what will happen to my daughters if I pass away," Nilufar lamented.

Nilufar was among eight survivors this correspondent spoke with. Many of them have been suffering for years due to health issues and financial uncertainty.

"No one is looking out for us anymore. We have demonstrated several times, demanding lifetime free medical treatment, rehabilitation, and appropriate compensation for victims and deceased persons' families. But no one paid heed to our demands," Nilufar said.

Another survivor, Babli Akter, had joined Rana Plaza after completing her PSC some time before. She had to start working because her father could not make ends meet as the only earning member of the family.

She had sustained injuries in her head and legs. She recovered from the injuries, but is still traumatised about the accident.

"After receiving treatment for three years, I continued my education. Passed my JSC exam in 2018 and I want to sit for the next SSC exam," said Babli, now 22.

Mentally, she has not been doing as well. "The trauma is still unbearable. When I remember that day, I feel numb with fear," she explained.

"I want to be a teacher when I am older, but I worry if my father will be able to pay for further education," Babli said.

President of Bangladesh Garments and Industrial Workers' Federation, Rafiqul Islam Sujan, said the government has never taken any steps to meet their demands for rehabilitation, treatment and compensation.

"The pandemic only exacerbated the situation for Rana Plaza survivors," he said.

"The government should make a list of the survivors and extend aid. They could also ensure further education for Babli," Sujan added.