KABUL, Afghanistan — Marking World Water Day, the International Committee of the Red Cross warned that nearly 80 percent of Afghanistan’s population — roughly 33 million people — lacks adequate access to clean drinking water, posing a severe threat to public health, food security and economic development.
In a statement, the ICRC said the water crisis in Afghanistan is deepening, exacerbated by prolonged drought, damaged infrastructure, and the broader humanitarian crisis. “In 2024, we improved access to clean water for over 1.12 million people,” the organization noted.
“For millions of Afghans, who are already struggling with many challenges and facing a dire humanitarian situation, vital activities such as getting water to drink or cook and providing irrigation for crops are often impossible,” said Martin De Boer, head of programs for the ICRC in Afghanistan. “This has a devastating impact on people’s health and access to food, and hampers the country’s potential for economic development.”
Despite the dire statistics, the Taliban-run Ministry of Water and Energy rejected the ICRC’s assessment, saying that both short- and long-term projects are underway to improve water access nationwide.
But in many areas, especially among displaced communities, conditions remain grim.
Zarghona, a woman displaced from Badghis Province and now living in Herat, said she and her children are forced to drink contaminated water after losing everything in last year’s earthquakes.
“We have no clean water, no bath facilities, and we are all sick,” she said. “There was drought in Badghis, but at least we had clinics and some clean water. Now we have nothing.”
In Farah Province, residents echoed similar concerns. “This is a big issue,” said Mahtab, a mother of four. “Our children fall sick frequently, especially in the summer when diseases spread due to unclean water. We urge the government to address this.”
The United Nations General Assembly has designated 2025 as the International Year of Glacier Preservation, underscoring the urgent need to protect water sources across vulnerable regions.
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations has warned that Afghanistan’s glaciers — a crucial source of irrigation and drinking water — are melting at an alarming rate due to climate change. The agency has urged immediate action to safeguard the country’s water security.
