Today more than 1.5 billion people, half of them children, are at risk of Iodine Deficiency Disorders (IDD), which is the world's leading cause of mental disabilities. Just a trace of iodine, obtained from iodized salt, will prevent IDD and resulting conditions such as mental disabilities.

Kiwanis International is providing funding for:

• The establishment of salt iodization plants.
• The purchasing of iodizing equipment to be used in already-established salt plants.
• The education of a country's government, its salt industry and its population about the importance and advantages of using iodized salt.
• The monitoring of the use of iodized salt in the country.

Through education and salt iodization plants, Kiwanis IDD funding in 61 countries around the world has saved 6 million children annually from mental disabilities according to UNICEF. Kiwanis needs $75 million to complete this world wide service project, and we invite you to help us. For more detailed information on this wonderful humanitarian effort, go to the Kiwanis IDD pages.

In order eradicate iodine deficiency disorders from the face of the earth, we need to educate the populations affected and give them the means to establish salt iodization plants. These plants cost approximately $50,000 to build. The total cost of of this worldwide project is $75 million. That's a lot of money, but a relatively small amount to improve the lives of 1.5 billion people! All donations are made to the Kiwanis International Foundation - IDD and are 100% tax deductible. For information on how to contribute, contact the Kiwanis International office (1-800-KIWANIS), or a local Kiwanis Club near your home. Thank you for your interest.

Kiwanians on a site visit in Vietnam, where the Kiwanis war against IDD is being won.