With some delay, we just posted our latest yearly evaluation report here. In 2012, we gradually moved into Phase II of our programme. From the start, the water supplies (mostly deep tube-wells) were intended as triggers for a lengthier and broader development process. Phase II will further facilitate this process in the existing working areas (Munshiganj district). Some of the committees have already started undertaking activities beyond deep tube-well operation and maintenance responsibilities.
Securing safe drinking water for the community and providing medical support for arsenicosis patients in the short term is not enough to counter the problem in the long term. The distribution of medicine is not addressing the root causes of the problem, and needs to be replaced by activities to improve health and nutrition. This will become the focus for Phase II in relation to our first aim (mitigate arsenic contamination). In relation to our second aim (develop replicable methods), we will refine and further develop the approach initiated in Phase I by exploring a potentially new working area (Shatkhira district).
Highlights for 2012
- We implemented four new community-based drinking water supplies (deep tube-wells).
- Much of our work was dedicated to the construction, permits, plans and contracts for our new Community Clinic.
- We conducted training with communities for setting up homestead fruit and vegetable gardens, fish cultivation, mushroom cultivation and herbal medicine production to gradually replace the need for external medical treatment.
- We started looking for possible expansions of our work into the highly vulnerable, low-lying and densely populated coastal districts of Bangladesh.
- Manusher Jonno Foundation (MJF) accepted AMRF as a partner for capacity development support (2012-2013).
- We published a book chapter reflecting on the notion of sustainable use of natural resources in the context of water management.
- Two international workshops were hosted by the Arsenic Mitigation and Research Foundation (AMRF) in Dhaka and Munshiganj district.
