Afghanistan: Searching for Water Is a Daily Battle for Many Afghan Families

Mar 22, 2026
International Committee of the Red Cross
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In Afghanistan, water is becoming harder to access, afford, and manage. Water scarcity affects daily life, livelihoods, and health. In rural areas protracted crises and past conflicts compounded with drought, declining rainfall, rapid population growth, returnees from neighboring countries, and declining groundwater levels are putting traditional water systems, like wells and Karezes (underground natural water system), under stress.