Arsenic poisoning looms

The development partners have pumped millions of dollars into various mitigation programmes ever since dangerous level of poison in underground water was detected way back in 1993. More funds are reported to be pouring in but the question is are they reaching the people who have been most affected by this rapidly increasing menace around the country? Several NGOs have been given authority through the Department of Public Health Engineering (DPHE), to offer low cost services to prevent diseases caused by arsenic poisoning from spreading. One such project for the 'poorest of the poor' requires a group of fifty to donate as much as Tk. 4,500 in advance to receive a safe tubewell. But the government seems to have forgotten that there are many 'poorest of the poor' who would not be able to gather any money, least of all the required amount.

So what happens to them? Should Sumon and his family continue to suffer and be left out from the project that was primarily designed for them. An official has already expressed his helplessness in including the underprivileged in the programme. The government has to adopt a more practical approach; the donors also need to ensure accountability for the money being spent. Otherwise the life threatening danger called arsenic is likely to overcome us and put many more youngsters like Sumon in peril.

Tap here to add The Daily Star as a trusted source