Nearly 16 Million Afghans Need Urgent Water and Sanitation Aid in 2026, UN Report Says
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has announced that in 2026, at least 15.9 million people in Afghanistan will urgently require access to safe drinking water and sanitation services. According to the agency, meeting these needs will require a budget of $163.3 million.
OCHA stated that a combination of concurrent shocks—including mass returns of migrants, drought, outbreaks of contagious diseases, repeated floods, and earthquakes—have severely impacted water and sanitation conditions in many parts of the country. These factors, especially in vulnerable areas, have placed unprecedented pressure on limited resources.
Based on a nationwide assessment conducted last year, 85% of households experienced at least one environmental hazard, compared to 67% in 2024. OCHA views this increase as a sign of intensified climate crises and the inability of existing systems to respond effectively.
The agency added that the proportion of households forced to prioritize water expenses for drinking and hygiene has decreased from 37% to 26%, indicating deteriorating water access and reduced affordability. Furthermore, 37% of households lack soap, highlighting significant gaps in the supply and purchasing power for basic hygiene items.
OCHA further noted that a total of 21.9 million people in Afghanistan require humanitarian aid this year. Relief organizations have prioritized assistance to 17.5 million individuals and requested $1.72 billion in funding for this purpose.
However, a significant reduction in humanitarian funding last year led to millions of needy people being excluded from aid recipient lists. Critics argue that the Taliban administration’s inability to manage crises effectively, restrictions on aid organizations’ operations, and lack of an accountable framework have further weakened community resilience, leaving Afghan citizens to bear the brunt of the hardships.
