Life for Relief and Development Expands WASH Projects Across Nangarhar Villages in Afghanistan

In May 2025, two villages in Nangarhar Province, Daag Kaly and Badan Khali Kaley, experienced a long-overdue change. For years, families in both communities struggled to find clean water. Women and children walked long distances over steep terrain to fill jerrycans from unsafe springs, often risking injury and illness. 

Life for Relief and Development’s Afghanistan office constructed two deep water wells, one in Daag Kaly, 60 meters deep, and another in Badan Khali Kaley, 85 meters deep, bringing clean water directly into the heart of each community. Together, the projects now serve more than 200 people, improving daily life and health in tangible ways. 

Before the wells were built, villagers relied on contaminated water sources, leading to frequent cases of diarrhea and other waterborne illnesses. Many women and girls spent hours each day fetching water, limiting time for education and work. With the new wells, water collection now takes minutes instead of hours, freeing time for school and other productive activities. 

Residents described the change as life-altering. Zaman, a community volunteer in Daag Kaly, recalled how his younger sister broke her arm while carrying water. “That moment broke my spirit,” he said. “Now, the children are safe, and the women can rest. LIFE brought back the smiles to our village.” 

In Badan Khali Kaley, Ahmad Khan expressed similar relief: “Our children are no longer burdened with the hardship of carrying water from faraway places. One of our most critical needs has finally been met.” 

The wells were designed and constructed through close coordination with local authorities, elders, and residents. LIFE engineers also trained community members on hygiene practices and maintenance, forming local committees to oversee the long-term sustainability of the wells. 

These projects are part of LIFE’s broader WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) initiatives across Afghanistan, aimed at reducing waterborne disease and promoting resilience in vulnerable communities. 

In villages like Daag Kaly and Badan Khali Kaley, the sound of water now marks the beginning of a new chapter, one defined by health, safety, and dignity.