The rain plague.

Iodine deficiency disease, with cretinism as its most advanced manifestation, exists on a massive scale in Bangladesh due to the monsoon's regular leaching of iodine from the soil. An insidious rather than a spectacular illness which is passed on through generations, it has long escaped world attention. Aid to Bangladesh has focussed on higher profile problems such as flood control and crop production. Nothing can be done for children born with the disease but it could easily be prevented through iodine injections for women of childbearing age and by the addition of potassium iodate were added to all domestic salt - except that no funds are available for these measures. Iodated salt is on sale, but the higher cost discourages even richer Bangladeshis from purchasing it. Iodisation equipment suppled by the United Nations Childrens' Fund stands unused. In the face of this imminent population catastrophe the more conventional aid supplied to Bangladesh will be of limited use.