KABUL: Afghanistan is confronting an intensifying clean drinking water crisis, with the European Union warning that widespread contamination is driving serious public health risks across the country.
Citing data released by the EU and reported by Afghan news outlet Khaama Press, more than 20 million people are currently without access to safe drinking water. Estimates indicate that over 80 percent of the population relies on polluted water sources, sharply increasing vulnerability to waterborne diseases.
The European Union said illnesses linked to unsafe water are spreading at an alarming rate, placing mounting pressure on an already fragile health system. According to UNICEF, more than 212,000 Afghan children have been affected by water-related diseases, while the World Health Organization has documented at least 9,548 such cases nationwide.
Reports by Khaama Press said the crisis has been exacerbated by deteriorating infrastructure and administrative difficulties since the Taliban returned to power. The WHO has also linked Taliban-era restrictions and systemic weaknesses to the shutdown of 442 medical clinics by May 2025, further limiting access to healthcare.
Analysts caution that the growing water emergency now poses broader risks beyond public health, warning of potential impacts on food security and social stability. The European Union has urged swift international action to prevent a further humanitarian decline, as Afghanistan continues to face political isolation and economic strain.
Taliban authorities have yet to issue a public response to the latest warnings.
