BAPTIST WORLD AID

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Arsenic Mitigation Project

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aptists in Bangladesh participated in a nationwide arsenic mitigation project.

Supported by Baptist World Aid, the Bangladesh Baptist Church Fellowship (BBCF) implemented an Adopt A Village Project in Tala and Satkhira in southwestern Bangladesh. The aim is to reduce mortality and morbidity in rural and urban populations caused by arsenic contamination of the country’s groundwater. Specifically, Baptists sought to identify arsenic contaminated wells and ensure safe drinking water. Twenty persons were trained and appointed as community development organizers. They conducted arsenic awareness sessions among 1,200 families and performed screening tests on 600 tube wells in the targeted area. David Protip Chakrabarty, director of aid for BBCF, told the

Baptist World Alliance that the tests showed that well water had dangerously high levels of arsenic contamination. “The screening test result showed that the contaminated rate is very high (75 percent),” Chakrabarty reported. “More funds are required to do some preventive work for the safety of the community people.” Arsenic is one of the most poisonous chemicals on earth,

dangerous to humans, animals and the environment. Arsenic contamination of groundwater is found in many countries, but is especially severe in parts of South Asia, such as in the Ganges Delta, where naturally high concentrations of arsenic occurs.

Baptists sought to identify arsenic contaminated wells and ensure safe drinking water.

According to one report, “in rural Bangladesh, arsenic contaminated drinking water from the major water supply source, shallow tube wells, has subjected the population to the largest widespread poisoning recorded in history.” The report indicated that “approximately 46 million people, or 65 percent of the country, are exposed to arsenic contaminated water supply at levels above levels recommended by WHO (World Health Organization).” In addition to arsenic, in Bangladesh, “pollution of existing surface water with bacteria, viruses, and other water borne diseases additionally prevent access to safe water.”

Persons were trained and appointed as community development organizers.

Above and left: Conducting screening tests for arsenic on tube wells in Bangladesh

10 BAPTIST WORLD MAGAZINE