Have you ever imagined waking up in the morning to find just a little water left in your water pot? Would you drink it yourself- or perhaps use it to bathe your children? What about using it to prepare breakfast? Or would you give it to your flock of sheep?
Tucked away in the picturesque landscape of wheat and potato fields is the village of Darwazaha Shahidan located in Bamyan province, Afghanistan. The village is home to approximately 100 families, each tending to a small flock of dairy sheep and farming to provide food for their families.
A desperate struggle for survival
In Afghanistan, the severe impact of climate change is leading to more frequent and intense droughts, leaving over two-thirds of the local population struggling with water shortages.
Rural communities are hit the hardest. Faced with dry riverbeds and diminishing spring waters, their livelihoods are under threat, with increased outbreaks and forced displacement.
For years, villagers have faced the harsh reality of dwindling water supplies, enduring long treks through the unforgiving mountainous terrain to reach distant, unprotected open water sources known locally as Chasma. These journeys, often taking hours, have stolen precious time from their days and exposed families to the dangers of waterborne diseases.
The scarcity of clean water has left crops stunted and families hungry. Without water, the village begins to wither, its once-vibrant community feeling the pangs of desperation as homes are abandoned and lives are uprooted in search of water and greener pastures for their livestock.
School children breaking for lunch in Shahidan village, Bamyan
Fatima, a 40-year-old mother, stands proudly at the entrance of her half-built mud fence. With a warm smile, she leads us to where a water tap was recently connected to her home.
Fatima’s husband has also been involved in community initiatives, participating in Islamic Relief’s cash-for-work programs that focused on constructing water reservoirs and piping systems.
“He was hired and was paid for the days he worked. He also learnt new skills during the construction,” Fatima explains.
Remembering a perilous journey for women and girls
Fatima recalls the hardships her family faced in their search for water, particularly her 2 daughters.
“Imagine walking 3 kilometres just to find water. The path was often treacherous, filled with rocks, and I constantly feared encountering dangerous animals or strangers,” Fatima explains, tightening her scarf around her mouth.
“Safety was always on my mind, especially for my daughters.”
“Sometimes, the springs dried up, and we had to dig deeper with our bare hands or old shovel to find what little water we could. The water is often murky and foul, making many children fall ill.”
Bringing safe water to doorsteps
Working with the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA), Islamic Relief constructed 3 solar-powered and gravity-fed piped drinking water networks serving 3 rural villages in Bamyan province: Alocha Sang Chil, Darwazaha Shahidan, and Qara Khawal.
Thanks to our efforts, 650 families can now enjoy safe drinking water, and Fatima’s life has been dramatically transformed.
“For the first time, I have a water tap right in front of my house. It’s completely free. I don’t pay a single Afghani. This has given me much more time to spend with my children, and the water is clean and safe.”
She looks at the tap with immense gratitude, knowing it symbolises the safety and stability she fought so hard to achieve for her daughters.
“The water tap represents the safety I sought for my daughters. We no longer risk our lives in search of water,” she says with a sense of relief.
Paving the way for sustainable water solutions
Innovative solar-powered and gravity-fed piped water systems are more sustainable than fuelled-powered submersible pumps due to their longevity, lower operational maintenance and running costs.
Another positive aspect of the project is the involvement of community members.
In each of the 3 villages, a local committee was formed and were trained in the daily management of the water networks.
Fatima and her family make use of the water tap installed just outside her home
Shah Faisal, the Infrastructure and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene specialist for Islamic Relief Afghanistan, designed and oversaw the construction of the water networks. He was impressed by the community’s significant contribution to the project.
“The community was actively involved in planning, site selection, construction, and post-project water management,” Shah Faisal says. “I have worked on similar water projects in other countries, and I am confident that this initiative will greatly improve the lives of community members.”
The impact of climate change in Afghanistan highlights the urgent need to address water scarcity – particularly for children and women who bear the brunt of this crisis.
Record droughts have displaced thousands of families in their desperate search for water. Investing in climate-effective water systems can empower communities, strengthen their resilience, and secure access to clean water for generations to come.
Please help Islamic Relief continue to support a sustainable future for families like Fatima. Donate now.
