LFT in supplies 45,000 litres of water each day in Dashte Barchi, Kabul
In memory of the thirst of the children of Karbala – LFT in supplies 45,000 litres of water each day in Dashte Barchi, Kabul, Afghanistan to address the most vulnerable populations suffering from the water deficit challenges there
Afghanistan has been grappling with water scarcity challenges, with the situation further exacerbated by prolonged droughts and adverse effects of climate change. Decades of conflict, political instability, natural disasters and widespread displacement of populations have taken a toll on the country’s hydrological infrastructures.
The recent drought, considered the most severe in the last three decades, has led to the depletion of water sources and a simultaneous surge in economic crises. Therefore, millions of Afghans have been left with no choice but to rely on unsafe drinking water, leading to an array of health issues, particularly among vulnerable groups like children and mothers.
According to a recent UNICEF report, 53 percent of water points across the country have dried up, leaving 8 out of 10 Afghan people with access to unsafe water. The situation has become increasingly dire, with around 79 percent of the Afghan population suffering from severe safe drinking water shortages, making it challenging for people to access clean water.
The agricultural sector, being a significant economic income generating sector in Afghanistan, has also borne the brunt of water scarcity, further exacerbating food insecurity. Rural provinces like Bamian, Ghor, Daikundi, and Ghazni have faced limited cropping choices due to the devastating effects of prolonged droughts, prompting increased displacement to urban centers, particularly Kabul.
As a consequence, currently in Dasht-e-Barchi where an absolute majority of populations are the internally displaced families mainly from central Afghanistan, people struggling with access to safe water sources and the lack of safe drinking water posed severe consequences for family health. It is noted that the contaminated water and poor sanitation contribute to the transmission of various diseases such as cholera, diarrhoea, dysentery, hepatitis A, typhoid, and polio. Healthcare facilities are also at risk when water, sanitation, and hygiene services are inadequate.
Shockingly, more than 40 percent of child deaths in Afghanistan are attributed to diseases like diarrhoea and acute respiratory infections (UNICEF, 2022). The harsh economic realities, compounded by recent political transitions and soaring unemployment, have left vulnerable families with minimal alternatives, forcing them to consume unsafe water despite the associated health risks.
Dasht-e-Barchi is the most populated district in Kabul, has been severely affected by the water scarcity crisis. The mass displacement of people from central provinces to Kabul has led to a reduction in groundwater levels, significantly impacting access to safe drinking water.
For the past 9 months, water pipes have run dry in large part of Dasht-e-Barchi, forcing residents to seek water from distant locations at high costs or resort to consuming and often unsafe water, resulting in an alarming rise in various waterborne diseases.
Through the generosity of the LFT’s patrons in tackling the problem: Amidst these dire circumstances, the LFT has risen to the occasion to provide essential support to vulnerable families in Dasht-e-Barchi.
LFT’s water supply Project is a testament to the organisation’s dedication to addressing the critical water deficit challenges faced by the community.
Through this project, LFT has established three water stations each with a capacity of 15,000 litres, providing a total of 45,000 Liters of clean drinking water on daily bases to approximately 800 families in the Asiabini and Regrashian areas of Dasht-e-Barchi.
The impact of this initiative has been transformative, bringing much-needed relief to the beneficiaries who were previously marginalized and lacked access to safe drinking water.
Hussain Ali, a resident of the Asiabini neighbourhood in Dasht-e-Barchi, is one of the many beneficiaries of LFT’s water supply programme. With profound gratitude, he shared his experience and how LFT’s intervention has significantly changed the lives of vulnerable families in the area:
“I cannot express enough how critical LFT’s assistance has been for the thousands of people marginalized from any governmental or non-governmental aid in this remote and impoverished neighbourhood of Kabul. For the past nine months, we have been struggling to access clean drinking water, with women, children, and adults standing in lengthy queues late at night and early in the morning, waiting for hours. This quest for water has disrupted daily life, with children missing classes, men unable to work, and women burdened with household chores and water-related problems. Unfortunately, we had no choice but to consume unsafe water, which has had devastating consequences on our health. Personally, I suffered from kidney problems due to consuming contaminated water, requiring multiple treatment sessions. The doctor consistently warned against drinking such water, but we were left with no alternative…the LFT critical support has improved our lives significantly…Now, we can focus on our work and education without worrying about accessing water or suffering health problems … I extend my heartfelt gratitude to LFT for their goodwill and overwhelming support. May Almighty Allah bless them and grant them even greater resources to continue assisting vulnerable people like us. Thank you so much for your kind efforts and care”.