A growing water crisis in Afghanistan is threatening the health and livelihoods of millions, with nearly 80 percent of the population relying on unsafe drinking water, according to a new report by UNICEF.
The report, released as global leaders gather for the COP30 climate summit, highlights the devastating impact of climate change on one of the world’s most vulnerable countries — a nation that, the agency notes, has contributed almost nothing to global emissions.
“Afghanistan is bearing the brunt of a crisis it did not cause,” UNICEF said, warning that persistent drought, declining groundwater levels, and repeated natural disasters have drastically limited access to clean water across the country.
The problem has worsened in recent months. Earthquakes in western provinces and shifting weather patterns have compounded existing infrastructure failures. UNICEF estimates that 8 out of every 10 Afghans now use contaminated or unsafe water sources, raising the risk of waterborne diseases and threatening public health, especially for children.
Kabul residents struggle for water
In the capital, Kabul, residents say water shortages have reached crisis levels. Many rely on shallow wells, which are increasingly dry, or travel long distances on foot to fetch water from mosques or public taps.
“Most wells are dry,” said Nisar Ahmad, a Kabul resident. “People wait in line for hours at the mosque to collect water, and many of us are forced to buy it just to survive.”
Others echoed the concern. “People are poor,” said another resident. “Some collect water from religious schools, others have no choice but to pay for it. Many simply can’t afford either.”
The shortages are not limited to urban areas. Rural communities have also seen farmland go dry, leaving thousands of hectares barren and pushing many families to abandon their villages in search of water and livelihood.
While climate change is the primary driver of Afghanistan’s worsening water situation, experts say the crisis is exacerbated by years of underinvestment in infrastructure, weak governance, and the broader economic collapse following the Taliban’s return to power in 2021.
UNICEF’s report underscores that women and children are disproportionately affected, as they are often responsible for collecting water in rural households. The time lost in securing clean water — often hours per day — also limits access to education and economic opportunities.
Since the Taliban takeover, many international donors have suspended direct aid to government institutions, further limiting the country’s ability to maintain or expand critical infrastructure, including water and sanitation systems.
The Taliban administration has yet to announce a comprehensive national water strategy, and local residents in Kabul say their concerns have largely gone unheard.
“The Taliban don’t listen,” said one resident. “Our problems — poverty, unemployment, and now water — are getting worse, and no one is paying attention.”
