Asia Arsenic Network (AAN) is an organization that aims to solve arsenic contamination problems occurring in Asia. Its headquarters is in Miyazaki City, Miyazaki Prefecture, with a liaison office in Tokyo and an overseas office in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Its work rests on three pillars: creating safe and tasty water, building communities that support health, and improving nutrition and practicing sustainable agriculture. Its website also shows the links to the SDGs. Recent announcements include a completion report on a project spreading alternate wetting and drying (AWD) irrigation to improve the livelihoods of rice farmers in southwestern Bangladesh, and a report on a model project for tackling noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) in Khulna District.
AAN also puts effort into sharing information, with AAN reports, announcements of the Asian Arsenic Groundwater Contamination Forum, and a study session on rice and arsenic. The website also introduces the Toroku Arsenic Museum, which tells the history of Toroku and Matsuo in Miyazaki, described as AAN's starting point.
Key points
- Works in three areas, water, health, and nutrition with agriculture, to solve arsenic contamination in Asia
- In Bangladesh, runs projects to improve rice farmers' livelihoods and to tackle lifestyle-related diseases
- Keeps sharing learning opportunities such as study sessions, forums and reports
Why this organization's work stands out
Arsenic contamination is a challenge that affects people's health through water and food. AAN approaches it in ways tied to daily life, from securing water to community health and agriculture.
Besides donating, people can start by learning, through study sessions, forums and reading reports, which is a useful reference. Published completion reports also help people understand the work.
Editor's comment
It feels like work that supports people's health and daily lives in Asia through a familiar theme, water.
The latest news and study session information are on the official website. Please take a look.