The MAAWS/IMANA Pure Drinking Water & Sanitation Project has expanded into the village of Barahipur in Sonaimuri, Bangladesh. During flood seasons, the land becomes overtaken by the unsanitary water because of its low elevation. To prevent the spread of waterborne diseases and keep drinking water sanitary and accessible all year long, a series of tubes wells free of arsenic contamination have been installed around the village for local residents.
MAAWS is striving to meet the UN Millennium Development Goals: Ensuring environmental sustainability by reducing half the proportion of people without sustainable access to safe drinking water. The UN has declared 2008 as the International Year of Sanitation. In addition to tube wells, sanitary toilets have been installed as well. MAAWS is also trying to meet the UN’s goal of reducing the number of people without access to basic sanitation.
Local and national media covered the Health for Villagers ® Program inaugural event at Sonaimuri, Bangladesh.