UN warns of intensifying water crisis, threatening the lives of millions of Afghan citizens

Elaha Sat Oct 2026 1 day ago 45

Tajuddin Ayoubi, UNICEF's representative in Afghanistan, has emphasized that the consequences of this crisis have particularly negatively impacted the lives, health, and well-being of children.


According to United Nations reports, more than half of Afghanistan's population is facing drought and water shortages. Reduced rainfall in recent years has strained groundwater resources, agricultural lands, and pastures, posing serious challenges to the livelihoods of families dependent on farming and livestock rearing.


A UNICEF assessment shows that in 2025, around 25 percent of households were using non-standard water sources, and 46 percent of families considered access to safe drinking water their top concern—a figure that was about 31 percent in 2024. Additionally, in 2026, approximately 15.9 million people in Afghanistan will require water supply, sanitation, and hygiene services. UNICEF has stated that it is working to provide access to safe drinking water for 2.9 million people.


The water situation in Kabul is also concerning. According to a Mercy Corps humanitarian aid organization report published in April 2025, the capital's groundwater levels have dropped by about 25 to 30 meters over the past decade, and annual water extraction is nearly 44 million cubic meters higher than the natural recharge capacity of groundwater sources. Population growth, urban expansion, climate change, and the digging of unauthorized wells have been identified as the main drivers of this crisis.


The report warns that if current trends continue, Kabul's groundwater resources could face severe depletion and the risk of drying up by 2030—a situation that could make access to drinking water more difficult for millions and increase the cost of water supply for families. However, this forecast does not mean that all of the city's water sources will completely dry up by that time.



The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has warned that climate change, drought, rising demand, funding shortages, and mismanagement of water resources have exacerbated the water crisis in Afghanistan.

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