UNDP reports that 139,000 Afghan families now have access to clean water, addressing ongoing water scarcity challenges in the country.

The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in Afghanistan has highlighted the ongoing water accessibility challenges in the country. In a report released on 26th July 2025, the UNDP revealed that 139,000 families have gained access to clean water, but significant challenges remain in ensuring widespread access.

The report stresses that water scarcity has had a direct impact on migration, agriculture, and livelihoods across many regions of Afghanistan. With insufficient access to water, communities are forced to relocate in search of more viable living conditions, which further strains the country’s resources.

Women, in particular, bear the brunt of the water crisis, with the report emphasizing that they carry a disproportionate share of the burden. In rural areas, women often spend hours collecting water, a task that impacts their health and well-being.

To address this crisis, UNDP has helped develop over 80 water canals and 10 check dams in key regions of Afghanistan. These projects aim to restore water supplies, improve agricultural productivity, and provide sustainable access to clean water.

In provinces like Kandahar, Zabul, and Nangarhar, the revitalization of traditional Karez systems and the creation of new water infrastructure have had positive outcomes. Not only have these efforts helped revive agriculture and irrigation, but they have also reversed migration trends and increased community resilience.

However, despite these efforts, the UN has raised concerns about the broader impact of climate change on Afghanistan’s water resources. Droughts and unpredictable weather patterns are worsening the water scarcity crisis, which threatens both the country’s agricultural sector and the livelihoods of its citizens.

As the situation continues to evolve, experts stress the importance of long-term solutions that not only address immediate water shortages but also help communities adapt to the changing climate. Continued support from international organizations will be crucial in ensuring Afghanistan’s water security and resilience.

UN officials report Afghanistan faces severe humanitarian needs, with widespread hunger, malnutrition, water shortages, and educational restrictions, especially for girls.

Joyce Msuya, the UN Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator, highlighted the ongoing and severe humanitarian needs facing the people of Afghanistan. Speaking at the UN Security Council on Monday, June 23, she outlined how decades of conflict, structural poverty, climate crises, and the severe restrictions on women and girls have worsened the country’s crisis.

Msuya noted that Afghanistan’s maternal mortality rate is more than 2.5 times the global average, while widespread drought continues to threaten large parts of the country. She also emphasized that one in five Afghans faces hunger, and three million people are severely malnourished, with nearly 3.7 million children unable to attend school.

Among those affected by educational restrictions, Msuya pointed out that 2.2 million girls over the age of 11 are prohibited from attending school due to the Taliban’s policies. These ongoing barriers significantly impact the future of Afghanistan’s youth, especially girls, who face the brunt of the educational crisis.

Msuya also warned that Kabul may become the first capital city in modern history to face severe water shortages. She revealed that groundwater levels in Kabul have dropped by 30 meters, and nearly half of the city’s wells have run dry, exacerbating the growing water crisis.

In her remarks, Msuya stressed the vital role of Afghanistan’s women in humanitarian operations. Despite facing numerous threats and restrictions, Afghan women continue to serve on the frontlines of humanitarian aid, reaching marginalized communities that would otherwise be left without support.

Msuya further highlighted that the Afghanistan Humanitarian Fund has recently allocated $2.4 million to local organizations, including those often overlooked. This financial support is crucial to maintaining vital services amid ongoing challenges.

Dorothy Shea, the U.S. Ambassador to the UN, also addressed the meeting, stating that the Afghanistan’s people continue to suffer from poverty, unemployment, lack of basic services, and the impacts of natural disasters. She added that these issues are further aggravated by the restrictive policies of the Taliban. The international community faces a growing challenge in responding to Afghanistan’s humanitarian crisis.