Life for Relief and Development USA (LIFE) Secures Access to Safe Drinking Water for Thousands in Rural Afghanistan
- ajoyce140
- Oct 1
- 3 min read
Afghanistan has been no stranger to political, social, and economic instability since the turn of the century. Having endured an unending string of traumatic events, being subjected to external invasions, natural disasters, political upheavals, humanitarian crises, and considerable social transformations, it’s no surprise that millions of Afghans struggle daily in the fight for survival.
It is a heartbreaking fact that over 23 million people in Afghanistan - half of the population – are in dire need of urgent humanitarian assistance, with 15.3 million people facing acute food insecurity. One of the leading causes of this food insecurity is a lack of access to water. Afghanistan’s social and political instability has limited the country’s progress, leaving 80% of its population to reside in rural lands where water access is highly limited. This water scarcity has a colossal impact on the day-to-day lives of millions: limited water accessibility leads to lower agricultural productivity, threatens livestock, reduces household incomes, increases food insecurity, and locks families in a generational poverty trap.
This is the sad reality faced by nearly half of rural households in Afghanistan, as they do not have access to basic drinking water services. Due to the poor infrastructure and instability faced by the country, the abundant water sources that naturally occur from streams and melting snow are not managed. It is contaminated water that women and children must walk up to 4 hours a day in search of, severely impacting their abilities to pursue an education or economic opportunities. Left with no other choice, families rely on this water for their survival. Driven by necessity, the most vulnerable individuals contract preventable water-borne diseases, which are one of the leading causes of child mortality in rural Afghanistan.
Aware of the transformational properties that the gift of clean water provides, Life for Relief and Development USA (LIFE) has overseen the construction of three water wells with hand pumps, from 2nd February to 28th February 2025, in three remote villages within the Nangarhar province of Afghanistan. The two wells that were established in two villages, directly served 55 families (385 individuals in total), and the third was built in Safia Lil Banat Girls Madrasa, the only learning center for girls in the area served 430 Madrasa students and staff. Each water well borehole was dug to depths of 75-90 meters, ensuring a reliable, safe, and sustainable water source that will consistently serve each community for years to come.
The positive impact that has come about due to these water projects has been both immediate and immense. An elderly resident of the community shared his heartfelt appreciation, saying, "We thought our problem would never be solved, but thanks to LIFE, our children will no longer drink contaminated water."
As for the girls’ Madrasa, the students struggled daily to bring water from distant homes or nearby villages. Students were weighed down on their long, exhausting journey to school with heavy books and water containers. For many, the burden was even greater, as their homes also suffered from a shortage of clean water. Many students struggled to attend school as the need for survival took precedence over studies. Prioritising the responsibility that landed on their shoulders, they would go and fetch water for their families. As for those who managed to bring water to class, they could not share it with others, leaving many students thirsty and fatigued during lessons.
The well installed by LIFE has now transformed the young girls’ lives: those who struggled with thirst and the hardships of using unclean water during their lessons can now focus on their education without any obstacles. A local community leader expressed his heartfelt gratitude to LIFE, its staff, and donors, saying: "This was not just a water issue; it was a major barrier to girls' education. By the grace of God and the efforts of LIFE Organization, this challenge has been overcome."
Water truly is miraculous; it not only brings life but also growth, spreading its benefits beyond the borders of our imagination. While these three wells have directly impacted the lives of 815 individuals, the project also had a significant indirect impact on the broader community. The families of students and staff, residents who may access the water in emergencies, farmers, livestock, and the wider community can now reap the benefits from improved health, quality of life, a more consistent income, and time and energy that can now be invested in building a better future. It is estimated that at least 1,000–1,500 individuals were indirectly reached through each well, but the transformational long-term benefits for each community are countless.
Thanks to your donations and the efforts of LIFE’s teams, these communities can work towards a better tomorrow. No longer anchored down by the limitations and struggles of water insecurity, these resilient communities can now invest in building a future that was once just a distant dream.
