Why Bangladesh

Relatively low costs

The Max Foundation made a conscious choice for Bangladesh on the one hand because poverty and child mortality are big problems and on the other hand because the population density, stable social setting and soft earth make it possible to prevent much child mortality at a relative low costs on a long term basis.

High poverty

Bangladesh is one of the poorest countries in the world: 50 to 60% of the inhabitants live under the poverty line. This means that people die because they cannot afford the 20 Takka (25 Euro cents!) for the doctor. The health service is completely insufficient.

Arsenic poisoning – a big problem

Bangladesh also suffers from two additional problems with their water facilities: arsenic poisoning and salination (near the coast). In the past many water wells were dug to a depth of 15 meters. Many of these wells were poisoned with natural arsenic although the cause of this is not known. Because of this many inhabitants of Bangladesh suffer from arsenic poisoning. Inhabitants drink salinated water which is unhealthy in the long run. The current Max Foundation water wells are therefore dug to a depth of 300 meters.

At the moment 59 of the 64 districts have arsenic pollution. Findings of a study conducted by the British Geological Survey in 1998 showed that the arsenic was at a dangerously high level (above 0.05mg/l) in 41 districts.

On the long term (5 to 20 years) people suffer from arseniasis. This illness causes many health problems such as the development of skin problems (such as melanoma’s, hard patches on the palms of hands and soles of feet), gangrene, forms of cancer, nerve damage and eye disorders. The World Health Organization (WHO) warns that 250,000 Bangladeshi’s will die of the consequences of arseniasisin the coming 10 years if nothing is done about the situation. There are various theories about possible treatment. However stopping the poisoning occurring altogether is an important first step.