EU Warns Drought Worsening Afghanistan Water Crisis

The European Union says worsening drought in Afghanistan is cutting access to safe water for millions, prompting emergency well construction efforts.

The European Union’s humanitarian aid office for Asia said worsening drought in Afghanistan is making access to water increasingly difficult for millions of people across the country.

In a statement on Monday, the EU office said it is working with the NGO Solidarity to construct water wells equipped with hand pumps to help supply clean drinking water to local communities.

The EU said the initiative aims to provide safe and reliable water to vulnerable populations, particularly in drought-affected rural areas where traditional water sources have dried up.

Afghanistan has faced repeated droughts in recent years, driven by climate change, poor water management and decades of conflict that have damaged infrastructure and reduced resilience.

Rapid urbanisation, especially in Kabul, has placed severe pressure on groundwater reserves, while unregulated well drilling has accelerated depletion, aid agencies say.

The EU has previously warned of a deepening water crisis in Afghanistan, with Kabul identified as one of the cities most at risk of running out of water.

The United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF, has warned that Kabul’s groundwater could be completely depleted by 2030 if urgent action is not taken.

UNICEF also said eight out of every ten people in Afghanistan are forced to drink unsafe or contaminated water, increasing the risk of disease, especially among children.

Aid agencies say immediate investment in water infrastructure and long-term water management is critical to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe as drought tightens its grip on Afghanistan.

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