Water Situation in Afghanistan:

Afghanistan has a significant amount of fresh water, sourced from precipitation in the high mountains of Hindu Kush.  It is estimated that Afghanistan has 75 billion cubic meters of potential water resources, 57 billion cubic meters of surface water, and 18 billion cubic meters is groundwater. Afghanistan has  44 major    rivers flowing and they create five basins.  The country utilizes 35 percent of the total surface water, which comes from five main river basins.  The five river basins which includes:  (1) Amu Darya basin, (2) Helmand, (3) Indus, (4)Northern , and (5) Harirod-murghab.  These major basins align with the major oceans of the world:  Pacific basin,  Atlantic basin,  Indian basin, Arctic basin, and the Southern basin.

The water sector of Afghanistan is affected due to continuation war and instability. Despite having  a relatively favorable water endowment and enjoys a prime upstream location on the rivers it shares with neighboring countries. The country face challenges in water resources management leave the country in a horrible state of water. The scarcity continues despite the efforts to rebuild the country, including its water sector, over the past 20 years. Continuous water shortages due to water mismanagement, combined with the effects of climate change, have also affected the agricultural sector and food security in the country. Approximately 90 percent of the country’ water usage  and 80 percent of the population are  affected by water shortages. It contributing to acute food insecurity among one third of population.

A landlocked country, Afghanistan could have adequate rainfall from snowdrift for all agricultural output were that water capably captured and managed.   However,  the war, corruption, and malaise have meant that much of Afghanistan’s water becomes unusable, or flows out of the country.  In recent years there has been drought, there is no snow, there is much less rain. The sever droughts and disturbance of the agricultural sector in Afghanistan has lead to a drying of local water wells. Apart from losing access to drinking water, families of the affected communities have also lost children who, out of thirst, go searching for water wells. Conditions are particularly severe in the south, western and northwestern parts of the country. Water resources are severely diminished. It affecting millions of people with food insecurity and poverty.

Afghanistan’s economy is heavily relies  on agriculture, with about 70 per cent of Afghans living and working in rural areas, mostly on farms, and 61 per cent of all households relying on agriculture for their livelihoods (see  World Bank report). This means declines in crop yield restrict access to typical sources of food and income, especially for those in rural areas. The impact of the drought on agriculture and livestock has intensified already severe food insecurity. According to the FAO  , wheat makes up half of the average Afghan’s daily caloric intake. A poor yields a significant concern   affecting food supply and future planting session for the famers.

Humanitarian aid will not address the underlying vulnerabilities   to climate change-related  shock in Afghanistan. There is a crucial  need to establish and strengthen  Afghanistan’s national disaster mitigation and management infrastructure, with particular effort to create effective watershed management mechanisms. Rainwater during the wet season and directing it to the groundwater aquifers would go a long way in moderating water shortages during future droughts. Local initiatives such building small water conservation ponds or ground water recharge schemes are essential . Adopting new techniques such as drip irrigation and cultivating different varieties of crops can increase revenues per unit of irrigation.  And it is contribute to the sustainable water management practices.