The Thirst For Change: Afghanistan's Water Crisis

Afghanistan is facing a water crisis. Decades of war have decimated the country's infrastructure, including its water supply. In addition, geographical constraints, climate change, and a lack of education on clean water and sanitation have exacerbated the problem. As a result, only about two-thirds of Afghanistan's population has access to drinking water, and the water that is available is often contaminated. This has led to outbreaks of water-borne diseases such as cholera and diarrhoea, which have had devastating impacts on the health and well-being of Afghans, especially children.

Climate change and water scarcity

Afghanistan is one of the most water-stressed countries in the world, ranking 31st out of 195 countries. The country has a long history of resource degradation, which has led to conflict. Some of the ecological issues are related to climate and climate change, some to geography, and many to poor resource management and human effects.

Afghanistan has been experiencing the effects of climate change, with record droughts forcing families to leave their homes in search of clean water. Today, nearly two-thirds of the population has been impacted by drought. Climate change has deprived children and families of clean water, and rising temperatures and hazardous pollution are worsening the water crisis.

The country's water supply is already characterised by several challenges, including dilapidated infrastructure due to decades of war and neglect, a high level of non-revenue water, and a lack of qualified personnel. Climate change is exacerbating these issues, with reduced precipitation causing a drop in water levels.

In recent years, climate change has caused a reduction in precipitation, resulting in a drop in water levels of six meters. This has led to a lack of available water, with only about 67% of the country's population having access to drinking water. The situation is even worse in rural areas, with only 20% of the population having access to improved water sources.

The impact of climate change on water scarcity is particularly severe in Afghanistan due to the country's geographical location. As a landlocked country, Afghanistan relies mainly on its mountain rivers for water. However, due to a lack of reservoirs, canals, and infrastructure, only 30-35% of the water coming from the mountains stays in the country.

Climate change has also contributed to the increase in extreme weather conditions in Afghanistan, including droughts, storms, avalanches, and earthquakes. These disasters are increasing in frequency, intensity, and severity, exposing millions of people to critical losses in livelihoods and assets.

The mean annual temperature in Afghanistan rose by 0.6°C between 1960 and 2008 and by a further 1.2°C between 2009 and 2016. This has intensified the melting of glaciers and snow, which provide water to rivers during the summer. As a result, severe droughts are intensifying, and water scarcity is impacting livelihoods, contributing to increased disease outbreaks, and driving displacement.

Addressing Water Scarcity

To address the issue of water scarcity in Afghanistan, there have been efforts to improve water infrastructure and management. The National Water Affairs Regulation Authority (NWARA), based in Kabul, is responsible for water resources management in the country. There has been an expansion of rural water supply infrastructure with the active participation of communities, as well as successful expansions of water supply in major cities.

Additionally, external partners such as GIZ, a German company, have been working with the Afghan Urban Water Supply and Sewerage Corporation to decentralize and overhaul the country's water infrastructure. They have been training Afghani workers to complete the project and maintain it independently. As a result, there has been a significant increase in the number of households with access to a newly connected water supply.

However, despite these efforts, the water crisis in Afghanistan persists. Climate change continues to impact the country's water resources, and the lack of investment in water supplies and efficient water management systems exacerbates the problem. The impact of water scarcity is felt most severely by children, who are vulnerable to malnutrition and water-borne diseases.

Water-borne diseases

Diarrhea

Diarrhea is the second leading cause of death for children under the age of five, causing more childhood deaths than malaria, AIDS, and measles combined. It is often caused by unsafe water and poor sanitation practices, leading to the ingestion of harmful bacteria or viruses.

Typhoid Fever

Typhoid fever is well-known in extremely poor parts of developing nations, with an estimated 20 million people suffering from the illness each year. It is spread through contaminated food, unsafe water, and poor sanitation.

Cholera

Cholera is commonly found in humanitarian emergencies or marginalized villages where poverty and poor sanitation are prevalent. It is spread through contaminated water and causes severe dehydration and diarrhea.

Giardia

Giardia is an intestinal infection caused by a parasite. It typically clears up after a few weeks, but it can cause intestinal problems for years. It is spread through contaminated water sources and is often found in ponds and streams.

Dysentery

Dysentery is an intestinal infection characterized by severe diarrhea and the presence of blood or mucus in the stool. It is caused by bacteria, viruses, or parasites in unsafe food and water. Poor hygiene practices, such as not washing hands, can also lead to the spread of dysentery.

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A is a liver infection caused by consuming contaminated food or water or by coming into close contact with someone who has the infection. It usually goes away in a few weeks, but it can become severe and last several months.

Salmonella

Salmonella is typically spread through the ingestion of contaminated food or water. Undercooked meat, egg products, fruits, and vegetables can carry the disease. Most people do not develop complications, but children, pregnant women, older adults, and those with weakened immune systems are at higher risk.

Lack of infrastructure

Decades of war and neglect have decimated Afghanistan's infrastructure, including its water supply systems. The country's water infrastructure has been damaged or destroyed by years of conflict, with fighting between different mujahidin groups from 1992 to 1996 leading to the shelling of Kabul and other cities, which destroyed most of the water infrastructure, including pump stations. The Taliban takeover in 1996 also did little to rebuild the country's infrastructure. As a result, Afghanistan's water supply systems are dilapidated and in need of repair or replacement.

The lack of infrastructure has severe consequences for the Afghan people, particularly in rural areas. Only 27% of Afghanistan's population has access to improved water sources, and this number drops to 20% in rural areas, the lowest percentage in the world. In Kabul, a city of 6 million people, 80% of the population lacks access to safe drinking water. The lack of access to clean water and sanitation facilities has led to high rates of waterborne diseases, malnutrition, and poverty among the Afghan people, especially children.

The country's water supply is managed by the National Water Affairs Regulation Authority (NWARA), which is based in Kabul. NWARA has achieved some successes, including the expansion of rural water supply infrastructure through the National Solidarity Program and the successful expansion of water supply in certain cities and towns. However, they continue to face challenges such as tense security situations, limited mobility of personnel, lack of qualified personnel, and widespread poverty.

To address the lack of infrastructure, external organizations like GIZ, a German company, and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) are partnering with local Afghan institutions to improve water quality and access. GIZ is working with the Afghan Urban Water Supply and Sewerage Corporation to decentralize and overhaul the country's water infrastructure, while USAID is collaborating with the Afghan government and civil society to increase access to safe drinking water and improve hygiene practices. These efforts are making significant progress, with an increase in the number of households with access to clean water and the construction of new wastewater plants.

Poor sanitation

The lack of sanitation facilities is exacerbated by the absence of wastewater management in Afghanistan. This is due to several factors, including limited water supply (treating wastewater requires water), the high cost of facilities and equipment, and the lack of technical expertise to operate wastewater treatment plants. As a result, some communities use septic tanks, which often leak and contaminate groundwater, further polluting the water sources that people rely on.

The issue of poor sanitation is also closely linked to the country's infrastructure challenges. Decades of war and neglect have destroyed much of Afghanistan's infrastructure, including pump stations used to access fresh water. The ongoing conflict and instability have left little opportunity for reconstruction and improvement of water and sanitation systems.

Furthermore, traditional social norms, particularly regarding the role of women, pose additional challenges to sanitation and hygiene efforts. For example, restrictions on interacting with women make it difficult to read meters within premises or include women in participatory processes related to water management.

The lack of access to sanitation facilities and proper wastewater management has severe health, social, and economic impacts on the Afghan population, particularly women and children, who bear the brunt of the consequences. It is crucial that efforts are made to address these sanitation issues and improve the overall health and well-being of Afghanistan's citizens.

Water conflict

Afghanistan has been experiencing a water crisis, with only 42% of Afghans having access to safe drinking water. This has been exacerbated by climate change, geographical constraints, and a lack of education on clean water and sanitation. The country's water infrastructure has also been damaged by decades of war, with an estimated 79% of the population living in rural areas and relying on rivers and underground water supplies.

The water crisis has led to conflicts within Afghanistan and with its neighbouring countries. Here are some key aspects of water conflict in Afghanistan:

Internal Conflict

Oxfam found that 43% of local conflicts in Afghan communities are over water. In 2010, two men were killed when caught taking water from the Paghman River in Kabul province, leading to larger-scale fighting between communities.

International Conflict

Afghanistan's water resources are shared with neighbouring countries, including Iran, Pakistan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan. The lack of water infrastructure and effective hydrodiplomacy treaties has led to disputes over water rights and the construction of dams.

One significant dispute is between Afghanistan and Iran over the Helmand River, which is considered the "lifeline of water" in Afghanistan. Iran argues that Afghan dam construction, such as the Kamal Khan dam, will cause environmental damage and reduce its water supply. Afghanistan, on the other hand, justifies its actions by citing water security concerns and a 1973 water treaty with Iran.

Another dispute involves Afghanistan and Pakistan over the Kabul River Basin. Pakistan has expressed concerns about Afghanistan's development of hydropower dams in the region, seeing them as a threat to its own economic development. Meanwhile, Afghanistan accuses Pakistan of unilaterally developing its own water infrastructure, such as the construction of storage dams on the Chitral River, without consultation.

Impact of Climate Change

Climate change has contributed to the water crisis in Afghanistan by reducing precipitation and causing earlier snowmelt in the mountains, resulting in lower water levels. This has led to drought conditions and further strained water resources, increasing the potential for conflict.

Efforts for Improvement

Despite the challenges, there are efforts to improve the situation. The Afghan Urban Water Supply and Sewerage Corporation has been working to construct clean water posts, and external organizations like GIZ from Germany are providing support and expertise. Additionally, the Afghan government has prioritized water resource management and dam development, and there is a push for more effective water governance and hydrodiplomacy to stabilize the region.

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