EU says 21 million lack access to safe drinking water in Afghanistan

More than 21 million people lack access to safe drinking water in Afghanistan, the European Union says, as conflict, climate change and weak infrastructure worsen shortages.

The lack of access to safe drinking water remains one of the most serious humanitarian challenges in Afghanistan, affecting millions across the country.

According to the European Union’s humanitarian aid office for Asia, more than 21 million people in Afghanistan do not have access to clean water, a situation worsened by years of conflict, damaged infrastructure, and deteriorating climate conditions.

The EU office said water scarcity has intensified in both urban and rural areas, forcing families to rely on unsafe sources that increase the risk of disease, particularly among children.

To ease the crisis, the EU’s humanitarian partners are installing wells and hand pumps for vulnerable households, aiming to provide sustainable access to safe drinking water.

In a related effort, the Norwegian Refugee Council recently completed a water supply network serving around 300 families in Zabul province, offering relief to communities long affected by drought and poverty.

The United Nations Children’s Fund has previously warned that Kabul’s groundwater could be fully depleted by 2030 if current trends continue, posing a serious threat to the capital’s future.

UNICEF has also reported that eight out of ten people in Afghanistan consume contaminated water, underlining the urgent need for continued international assistance to prevent a deepening public health emergency.

The post EU says 21 million lack access to safe drinking water in Afghanistan appeared first on Khaama Press.