A lack of environmental protections and weak urban management in Afghanistan are posing serious threats to public health, according to the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat).
In a statement posted on X, UN-Habitat said that Afghanistan remains highly vulnerable to environmental degradation and the effects of climate change. The agency cited poor waste and water management and a shortage of green spaces as key factors undermining public health.
“Afghanistan is vulnerable to environmental degradation and the effects of climate change,” the post read. “Weak waste and water management and limited green space threaten people’s health.”
The agency called for immediate action, emphasizing that strong urban planning and community-driven initiatives are essential for protecting the environment and improving the quality of life for citizens.
“Act now!” the agency urged in its call to action.
The warning comes as the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) continues to highlight the intensifying climate crisis in the country. In a report released in January, OCHA noted that environmental stressors have compounded Afghanistan’s humanitarian challenges, particularly for vulnerable families.
“Humanitarian response alone is insufficient to address climate-related vulnerabilities,” the report stated, pointing to the need for systemic change in how environmental and climate issues are managed.
OCHA also described Afghanistan as “extremely vulnerable” to natural disasters, climate shocks, and geopolitical instability.
While Afghanistan contributes only 0.1 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, it is disproportionately affected by the global climate crisis, according to previous U.N. findings.
Environmental experts warn that without coordinated investment and sustainable policies, the country will face worsening public health outcomes and continued disruption of livelihoods, especially in urban and drought-prone regions.
