According to researchers, about 20 million people in Bangladesh drink arsenic-poisoned water, exposing themselves to serious health problems which may eventually lead to internal cancers and death.

In response to this crisis, SIM established the Arsenic Awareness and Alleviation Project in 2001. The first goal of the project was to hold informational meetings to raise public awareness of the dangers involved. The second goal was to provide remedial solutions for households that drink arsenic-contaminated water through the provision of a high quality locally produced filter to remove the arsenic. The national Bengali staff tests water and distributes arsenic removal filters. They are highly trained and motivated.

As the Bangladesh government calendar year ends we will exceed the performance targets that we established at the beginning of the program in 2001. The health work also continues as part of the overall SIM development project in Kushtia. Don often partners with the field evangelists in testing wells for arsenic as a way to build bridges into the community.