Introduction :
A major portion of the western Bangladesh has become severely affected by arsenic and gradually the situation is deteriorating. Jhenidah is one of the worst affected district in this part. Thousands of tubewell available there are reported to have arsenic above the acceptable level. In many areas of the villages, people are still found unaware of this problem and drinking arsenic contaminated water as there is no alternative water option available to them. The number of arsenicosis patients is gradually on rise.
Not only health risks but also a number of social problems are aggravating the situation. In order to address all these problems caused by arsenic, NGO Forum for Drinking Water Supply & Sanitation has started an Action Research on Health and Social Consequences of Groundwater Arsenic Poisoning in Bangladesh to mitigate the sufferings of the arsenic affected population in Jhenidah Sadar Upazila.
Project Implementation Area : 11
Villages under Laksham Upazila, Comilla, Jhenidah Sadar
Upazila, Faridpur, Jhikargacha, Jessore.
Project Duration : April 2006 –
December 2006
General Objective :
To mitigate the health and social consequences of arsenic poisoning in an area severely affected with arsenic contamination.
Specific Objectives :
■ To facilitate community management aspect of the arsenic mitigation programme.
■ To increase awareness of the people dwelling in arsenic contamination area on hazards of arsenic contamination.
■ To reduce the social stigma attached to arsenicosis patients.
■ To motivate the arsenic affected families (in terms of either water contamination by arsenic or arsenic related health hazards or both) to adapt water uses for drinking and cooking purpose from the arsenic-free safe water sources.
■ To determine the effectiveness of different awareness raising approaches.
■ To provide health service support to the arsenic affected population during the project duration.
■To provide arsenic-free, safe alternative water option to the arsenic victims.
■ To strengthen the capacity of the community on operation and maintenance of alternative water option.
Project Activities :
■ Baseline survey.
■ Community mobilization by conducting different types of the promotional activities.
■ Collaboration with the local govt. structure by conducting meeting at ward, union, upazila, and village level.
■ Capacitate the community people by providing different types of training.
■ Health campaigning and treatment of arsenicosis patients.
■ Organizing trainings for traditional medical practitioners.
■ Conducting of different promotional activities for raising awareness on arsenic issues among the community people.
■ Tubewell screening and marking with red and green marker.
■ Installation of different types of safe water supply technologies.
■ Water quality testing of different safe water technologies. |
