WELL WATER - RUNNER-UP
BANGLADESH

The contamination of the water supply in parts of Bangladesh and northern India with large quantities of arsenic has been described as the worst case of mass poisoning in recorded history. Long-term exposure to even small quantities of the poison can result in skin lesions, localised gangrene and eventually cancers of the skin, lungs, bladder and kidneys.

Located in Khulna, Bangladesh, NGO Dalit is fighting the scourge of arsenic contamination by locating and tapping rare pure water sources, installing filtration systems and researching herbal remedies for arsenic-related diseases. The project also includes an educational element aimed at acquainting people with the dangers of arsenic poisoning - and how to avoid them. The NGO is named after the Hindu Dalit people who are discriminated against in Bangladeshi society and have suffered disproportionately from arsenic poisoning.