The Asia Arsenic Network (AAN) is an international, non-profit, volunteer-based organization that originated in Miyazaki Prefecture, Japan, in April 1994, following a long struggle to support victims of chronic arsenic poisoning caused by pollution from the Toroku mine. That movement—spanning from the filing of a lawsuit by victims in 1975 to its resolution in Japan’s Supreme Court in 1990—established a strong foundation of scientific knowledge, civic activism, environmental justice, and compassion for affected communities.
Building on this legacy, AAN was formally established to respond to arsenic contamination across Asia, where unsafe drinking water poses severe public health, social, and environmental challenges. Recognizing Bangladesh as one of the most critically affected countries due to widespread arsenic contamination of groundwater, AAN initiated its engagement in the mid-1990s, participating in the 1995 International Conference on Arsenic Contamination of Groundwater in Kolkata and conducting field investigations and community-level surveys in Bangladesh from 1996 onward. After successful pilot interventions in Samta village of Sharsha upazila, Jashore district, AAN established permanent offices in Dhaka in March 2000 and Jashore in September 2000, and obtained registration as an international NGO under the NGO Affairs Bureau (NGOAB- Registration No-1609) in January 2001. To strengthen national ownership, institutional sustainability, and operational capacity, Asia Arsenic Network Bangladesh (AANB) was subsequently registered under the Companies Act (Act XVIII) of 1994 as a Joint Stock Company in August 2016, also registered with (NGOAB – Registration No-3419, 28/08/2024) enabling it to function as a lead implementing authority for large-scale development programs, including UNICEF-supported WASH initiatives since 2019.
Operating through its Bangladesh offices, AAN/AANB works primarily in rural and hard-to-reach arsenic-affected communities where access to safe water, improved sanitation, and hygiene awareness remains limited. The organization applies an integrated and participatory Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) approach that links arsenic-safe water supply with sanitation infrastructure, hygiene behavior change, nutrition awareness, and public health interventions. AAN conducts detailed hydrogeological feasibility studies and water quality testing to identify arsenic-safe and sustainable water sources, followed by the installation of appropriate safe water technologies such as deep tube wells, piped water systems, rainwater harvesting, pond sand filters, and household or community-based water treatment options. These technical interventions are complemented by sanitation support, including the promotion of improved latrines, safe fecal sludge management practices, and hygiene facilities in households, schools, and community institutions.
Central to AAN’s WASH programming is a strong emphasis on community participation and ownership, implemented through Participatory Reflection and Action (PRA) processes, user committee formation, cost-sharing mechanisms, and capacity development of local caretakers and water management groups. The organization integrates intensive hygiene promotion and behavior change communication (BCC) activities focusing on safe water handling, handwashing with soap, menstrual hygiene management, and environmental cleanliness, with special attention to women, children, and marginalized populations. AAN also addresses the public health dimensions of arsenic exposure by supporting arsenicosis patient identification, referral, counseling, nutrition guidance, and social reintegration, ensuring that WASH interventions contribute directly to improved health outcomes.
AAN’s multidisciplinary team—comprising experts in community development, hydrogeology, civil and environmental engineering, chemistry, public health, social mobilization, and training—works closely with local government institutions, line agencies, research organizations, and non-governmental partners to ensure alignment with national WASH policies, standards, and sustainability frameworks. The organization maintains long-term post-installation engagement through monitoring, technical backstopping, and refresher training, reducing system failure and strengthening community resilience. Supported by a state-of-the-art training and research facility, AAN also provides professional WASH training, laboratory-based water quality testing services, technical consultancy, and applied research to improve arsenic mitigation technologies, climate-resilient water systems, and inclusive WASH service delivery. Through its combination of international experience, technical excellence, research-driven innovation, and deep community engagement, AAN has established itself as a trusted and leading actor in arsenic mitigation and WASH programming in Bangladesh and across the region.
Through applied research and pilot implementation, AAN has systematically improved traditional surface and groundwater-based technologies by adapting them to local hydrogeological conditions, user behavior, and maintenance capacities. These innovations include upgraded modified dug wells, rainwater harvesting systems, Pond Sand Filter (PSF) systems with improved filtration media and protection against microbial contamination; enhanced Gravel Sand Filter (GSF) designs for higher treatment efficiency and easier operation; and optimized Arsenic Iron Removal Plants (AIRP) that reduce operational complexity while improving arsenic removal performance. AAN has also developed mini piped water supply systems utilizing both surface water and arsenic-safe groundwater sources, enabling equitable water access for larger communities through shared distribution networks.
In addition, AAN has introduced and refined modified suction-mode hand pumps and advanced water abstraction mechanisms to enhance water lifting efficiency, minimize contamination risks, and extend the functional lifespan of existing water points. These technologies are especially suited for low and falling groundwater table areas and include submersible pumps, compressor-assisted extraction systems, and improved conveyance mechanisms. All systems are developed using locally available materials and skills, ensuring cost-effectiveness, ease of maintenance, and long-term operability under community management. By combining technical innovation with participatory capacity building and post-installation support, AAN ensures these systems remain functional, safe, and sustainable over time, contributing to resilient and climate-adaptive water supply solutions in arsenic-affected communities.
Continuing its commitment to evidence-based interventions, AAN conducts extensive research and development under the supervision of the AAN Environmental Laboratory, focusing on both water quality assessment and safe water technology performance. The organization evaluates the efficiency and reliability of field arsenic testing kits, including Wagtech, Hach, Econo, and NIPSOM kits, to ensure accurate detection of arsenic in groundwater under diverse field conditions. In parallel, AAN tests and compares the performance of various water treatment and supply technologies, including chemical-based systems, reverse osmosis (RO) units, and alternative safe water devices, under real-world field conditions. These laboratory-led studies provide critical evidence for selecting context-appropriate, cost-effective, and sustainable solutions for arsenic mitigation, water safety, and community-level implementation. By integrating laboratory research with field trials and user feedback, AAN strengthens the scientific foundation of its interventions, enhances operational efficiency, and supports continuous innovation in arsenic-safe and WASH technologies.
Since 2012, AAN has been actively addressing non-communicable disease (NCD) risks through extensive research, field surveys, and alignment with WHO and national health data. Supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japan, AAN has implemented comprehensive NCD prevention and control programs across all Upazila Health Complexes and the 500-Bedded Medical College Hospital in Khulna district, reaching nine Upazilas and over 1.5 million residents. In partnership with the NCDC and DGHS, the organization introduced the country’s first door-to-door NCD screening program, established functional NCD corners following the PEN protocol, and developed digital health platforms to facilitate patient registration, follow-up, and risk monitoring. Emphasizing lifestyle modification, AAN engages communities through ICT-based counseling, adolescent education, and woman-led healthcare support groups, ensuring that vulnerable populations have access to timely prevention and care.
Alongside NCD interventions, AAN prioritizes climate-resilient WASH initiatives to improve healthcare access and safety. The organization installs drinking water points and accessible toilets at health facilities, designed to encourage utilization by women, the elderly, and persons with disabilities. Through participatory facility design, staff and volunteer training, and ongoing monitoring, AAN ensures effective operation and long-term maintenance of these facilities. By integrating NCD management, digital health, and WASH infrastructure, AAN strengthens the resilience of vulnerable communities, promotes healthy lifestyles, and provides a replicable model for district-wide sustainable healthcare and climate-adaptive interventions.
AAN has been actively promoting Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) irrigation in arsenic- and drought-affected areas of southwestern Bangladesh to improve water-use efficiency, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and mitigate arsenic accumulation in rice. The project focuses on increasing awareness among farmers and irrigation well owners about water-saving practices, forming farmer groups, and training model farmers and well owners on AWD application and integrated water management techniques. Educational tools, including guidebooks, agri-books, posters, and demonstration fields, are used to communicate best practices, while field schools and on-site mentoring enable farmers to implement AWD alongside complementary techniques such as buried irrigation, hose systems, soil improvement, and crop diversification.
To strengthen local capacity, AAN collaborates closely with the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) to establish a system for disseminating AWD knowledge and monitoring implementation. Agricultural extension officers receive training in technology transfer, data management, and farmer guidance, while digital platforms support online monitoring, farmer feedback, and emergency advisories. The project also installs model buried irrigation systems in collaboration with local engineers and Japanese experts, ensuring proper design, construction, and long-term operation.
Field research and experiments are conducted to assess AWD effectiveness during dry and rainy seasons, including water savings, arsenic reduction in irrigation water and rice, crop yields, and livelihoods. Arsenic and soil testing, along with measurement of soil moisture and oxidation-reduction potential, informs precise irrigation scheduling. Survey results, research findings, and best practices are disseminated through seminars, workshops, and community engagement activities.
The Asia Arsenic Network (AAN) implemented a series of water supply interventions in Rohingya camps in alignment with the WASH Sector Master Plan and recommended technical designs for piped water networks. The activities focused on establishing sustainable and safe drinking water systems across Water Distribution Zones (WDZ) 8E.02, 8E.03(A), and 8E.04. As part of the infrastructure development, AAN successfully completed the installation of production wells in WDZ 8E.02 and 8E.04, while installation in WDZ 8E.03 progressed concurrently before completion. The development of reservoir infrastructure also advanced significantly, including completion of basement construction and roof casting for T95 reservoir tanks, followed by full installation of the reservoir in WDZ 8E.04 and continued structural progress in WDZ 8E.02.
In parallel, AAN constructed and completed tap stand brickwork and established an extensive pipeline distribution network, particularly finalizing the full pipeline layout and installation for WDZ 8E.04 and preparing designs for additional units. Solar-powered pumping systems were incorporated to ensure energy-efficient and climate-resilient operations; two sets of Lorentz solar panels were procured and later installed in WDZ 8E.04, while foundation work for solar installations in WDZ 8E.02 was completed. Comprehensive water quality monitoring was carried out through the Department of Public Health Engineering central laboratory, confirming that all tested parameters complied with Bangladesh and WHO drinking water standards.
These integrated interventions resulted in fully functional water networks across the three WDZs, delivering safe drinking water to 15,313 Rohingya refugees through 168 tap points, with an overall system capacity to serve approximately 16,800 people. The slight variation in beneficiary coverage occurred due to the division of WDZ 8E.03 between AAN and other service providers. An inauguration ceremony held on 29 October, led by the Camp-in-Charge, formally marked the operationalization of the systems. Subsequently, operation and maintenance responsibilities were handed over to experienced block focal NGOs, including Village Education Resource Center (VERC) and World Vision International (WVI), ensuring continuity of service delivery.
AAN placed strong emphasis on sustainability and community ownership throughout implementation. Rohingya caretakers were recruited and trained through hands-on technical coaching to manage routine operation and maintenance of the piped water network systems. Additionally, three WASH management committees and 168 tap stand maintenance committees were formed with active participation of Rohingya volunteers, while Majhi representatives were oriented on system functionality. Extensive water quality surveillance further strengthened service reliability, with 3,413 samples tested for bacteriological contamination, residual chlorine, and physicochemical parameters—all meeting acceptable standards. Notably, women constituted a significant proportion of beneficiaries, with approximately 6,370 females from the reduced population directly accessing improved water services.
Despite these achievements, several operational challenges affected implementation timelines. Identifying suitable elevated locations for production wells and reservoirs proved difficult due to high settlement density, requiring relocation of shelters. Production wells also yielded lower-than-anticipated extraction capacity (approximately 15 m³/hour compared to the 20 m³/hour design target). Community demand for additional tap stands required multiple consultations and design adjustments to ensure equitable access. Furthermore, COVID-19 lockdown restrictions and delays in solar system installation due to vendor technical constraints slowed progress.
Overall, the completed water supply networks in WDZ 8E.02, 8E.03(A), and 8E.04 are currently delivering safe drinking water and represent a sector-compliant, solar-powered, and community-managed solution. Continued engagement of block focal NGOs alongside trained Rohingya caretakers and community committees is expected to sustain long-term operation, strengthen user ownership, and ensure uninterrupted access to safe water for the refugee population.