ICRC Highlights Water Access Challenges in Afghanistan on World Water Day
On World Water Day, March 22, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) underscored the significant challenge of water access in Afghanistan.
In a statement, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has noted that 33 million people in Afghanistan are currently facing water shortages, Khaama Press reported.
ICRC representatives stated that the lack of access to water has serious implications for public health, food security, and economic development. For millions of Afghans, obtaining water for drinking, cooking, agriculture, and other essential needs is often unattainable, making the scarcity of clean drinking water a critical issue across various regions.
“Access to water is a pressing issue in Afghanistan, impacting public health, food security, and economic growth. An estimated 80% of Afghans lack adequate access to water,” the ICRC shared on its social media platform, X. In 2024, the organization reported that it improved clean water access for over 1.12 million people.
According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), 67% of families in Afghanistan do not have access to clean drinking water, highlighting the severity of the water crisis affecting both rural and urban populations.
UNICEF has previously warned that rapid urbanization and climate change could deplete Kabul’s groundwater resources by 2030, worsening the water shortage and posing severe risks to the population, especially children vulnerable to waterborne diseases.
Afghanistan ranks among the top ten countries most affected by climate change, facing challenges such as droughts, devastating floods, and ongoing water shortages. These environmental issues threaten the country’s future, necessitating urgent local and international efforts to tackle the water crisis.
To address the deepening crisis, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has announced that it has provided safe drinking water in 25 districts across eastern Afghanistan. In a report published on Thursday, March 20, UNICEF stated that this project was implemented during 2023-2024 with financial support from USAID. According to UNICEF, the goal of this initiative was to supply safe drinking water to children and their families in remote villages.
