Nepotism and Neglect

Hands of Selina Aktar, a woman in her late 30s with arsenic-related health conditions that first began appearing 20 years ago.
Hands of Selina Aktar, a woman in her late 30s with arsenic-related health conditions that first began appearing 20 years ago. While skin abnormalities have long been considered hallmarks of chronic arsenic exposure, the vast majority of exposed individuals will not develop skin lesions but are still at risk of deadly diseases such as cancers, cardiovascular disease, and lung disease. Iruain village of Laksam Upazila in Comilla district, Bangladesh, March 5, 2016.  © 2016 Atish Saha/Human Rights Watch
Anuwara Begum, in her 60s, cries while remembering her son-in-law, a farmer who died from arsenic-related illnesses. She herself has arsenic-related health conditions, but has never seen a doctor. Iruain village of Laksam Upazila in Comilla district, Bang
Anuwara Begum, in her 60s, cries while remembering her son-in-law, a farmer who died from arsenic-related illnesses. She herself has arsenic-related health conditions, but has never seen a doctor. Iruain village of Laksam Upazila in Comilla district, Bangladesh, March 5, 2016.  © 2016 Atish Saha/Human Rights Watch
Dhudhu Miya, 50, has been suffering from arsenic-related health conditions for 10 years because of arsenic exposure. Iruain (Laksam Upazila in Comilla District). March 5, 2016.
Dhudhu Miya, 50, has been suffering from arsenic-related health conditions for 10 years because of arsenic exposure. Iruain (Laksam Upazila in Comilla District). March 5, 2016.  © 2016 Atish Saha/Human Rights Watch
A woman bringing drinking water home in the evening. Balia in Ulania Union (in Barisal District). March 17, 2016.
A woman bringing drinking water home in the evening. Balia in Ulania Union (in Barisal District). March 17, 2016.  © 2016 Atish Saha/Human Rights Watch
Abdul Joynal Haoulader, 70, from Balia village. He has been suffering from arsenic-related health conditions for some 20 years. Balia in Ulania Union (in Barisal District), March 16, 2016.
Abdul Joynal Haoulader, 70, from Balia village. He has been suffering from arsenic-related health conditions for some 20 years. Balia in Ulania Union (in Barisal District), March 16, 2016.  © 2016 Atish Saha/Human Rights Watch
Jhohora Akhter, 30, draws water from the family well, which is contaminated with arsenic. Jhohora’s mother Jahanara Begum died of arsenic-related health conditions. Her father suffers from diabetes, an illness associated with chronic arsenic exposure. Her
Jhohora Akhter, 30, draws water from the family well, which is contaminated with arsenic. Jhohora’s mother Jahanara Begum died of arsenic-related health conditions. Her father suffers from diabetes, an illness associated with chronic arsenic exposure. Her brother Ruhul Amin also suffers arsenic-related health conditions. Iruain (Laksam Upazila in Comilla District). March 6, 2016.   © 2016 Atish Saha/Human Rights Watch
Osman Ghani, 60, and his wife Rehana Begum, 50, from Balia village. Both suffer from arsenic-related health conditions. Balia in Ulania Union (in Barisal District), March 16, 2016.
Osman Ghani, 60, and his wife Rehana Begum, 50, from Balia village. Both suffer from arsenic-related health conditions. Balia in Ulania Union (in Barisal District), March 16, 2016.  © 2016 Atish Saha/Human Rights Watch
A broken-down and unused government tubewell in a school playground. When Human Rights Watch visited Iruain in July 2015, the village was without any government-installed functioning and publicly accessible water points. Iruain (Laksam Upazila in Comilla
A broken-down and unused government tubewell in a school playground. When Human Rights Watch visited Iruain in July 2015, the village was without any government-installed functioning and publicly accessible water points. Iruain (Laksam Upazila in Comilla District). March 6, 2016.  © 2016 Atish Saha/Human Rights Watch
Rahsidha Begum, 40 years old. She suffers from diabetes and other arsenic-related health conditions. Her husband Muhammod Ali died of cancer following years of exposure to arsenic in drinking water. Iruain (Laksam Upazila in Comilla District). March 5, 2
Rahsidha Begum, 40 years old. She suffers from diabetes and other arsenic-related health conditions. Her husband Muhammod Ali died of cancer following years of exposure to arsenic in drinking water.  Iruain (Laksam Upazila in Comilla District). March 5, 2016.  © 2016 Atish Saha/Human Rights Watch
Shafiulah, 50, and his wife Rashida Begum, both suffer from arsenic-related health conditions. They were both issued with a government booklet to record their health care, but all the pages inside are empty. They have never been given any medicine for the
Shafiulah, 50, and his wife Rashida Begum, both suffer from arsenic-related health conditions. They were both issued with a government booklet to record their health care, but all the pages inside are empty. They have never been given any medicine for their arsenic-related health conditions from government health facilities. Iruain (Laksam Upazila in Comilla District). March 5, 2016.  © 2016 Atish Saha/Human Rights Watch
A government tubewell installed inside a small tin shed inside the fenced compound of the caretaker’s house, 2015.
A government tubewell installed inside a small tin shed inside the fenced compound of the caretaker’s house, 2015. © 2015 Richard Pearshouse/Human Rights Watch
A government tubewell installed inside a private house, 2015.
A government tubewell installed inside a private house, 2015. © 2015 Richard Pearshouse/Human Rights Watch
An unpainted government tubewell contaminated with arsenic above the national standard in Bilmamudpur, July 2015.
An unpainted government tubewell contaminated with arsenic above the national standard in Bilmamudpur, July 2015.  © 2015 Richard Pearshouse/Human Rights Watch
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