Afghanistan Peace Campaign
UN-Habitat reports 80% of Kabul’s population lives in informal settlements, lacking clean water, healthcare, and safe green spaces.
The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) has reported that four out of every five residents in Kabul live in informal settlements and marginalized areas. These communities often lack basic infrastructure and services.
According to a statement posted on Tuesday, children in these areas are among the most vulnerable groups. They have limited or no access to clean water, healthcare facilities, and green spaces.
UN-Habitat emphasized that these children deserve better living conditions and opportunities for growth. The report calls for urgent investments and actions to improve living standards in these underserved communities.
Poverty, ongoing insecurity, and displacement have forced most Kabul residents to settle in unofficial neighborhoods on the city’s outskirts. These areas remain neglected by urban planning and development efforts.
The agency stressed that addressing these challenges is critical to securing a brighter future for Kabul’s population, particularly its youth, who face numerous daily hardships.
Experts say that without immediate intervention, the quality of life for millions in Kabul’s informal settlements will continue to deteriorate, further entrenching poverty and social inequality.
UN-Habitat calls on both local authorities and the international community to collaborate on sustainable urban development projects that prioritize access to essential services and improve living conditions in Kabul’s marginalized neighborhoods.