Afghanistan
Afghanistan: UNICEF and Red Cross hygiene promotion activities
04 May 09
Both UNICEF and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) actively promote safe water, sanitation and hygiene practices in Afghanistan. UNICEF sponsors ‘Behaviour Change Committees’ and the ‘Healthy School Initiative’. (ICRC) conducts hygiene promotion sessions in madrasas and hammams.
Afghanistan, Kabul: poor sanitation in makeshift IDP camps
04 May 09
Open defecation, lack of toilets and poor sanitation in makeshift internally displaced persons (IDP) camps throughout Afghanistan are a health threat, aid workers say. Action contre la Faim (ACF) had failed to get government permission to build toilets and water points for a camp in Qambar, Kabul.
Afghanistan: OCHA Humanitarian Action Plan appeals for US$18.6 million for water and sanitation
09 Feb 09
The 2009 Humanitarian Action Plan for Afghanistan, submitted by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), includes an appeal from over 20 NGOs for US$ 18.6 million in funding for water and sanitation projects.
Afghanistan: piped water in short supply
19 Jan 09
Many people in Afghanistan still do not have access to safe drinking water, despite a national development drive since the fall of the Taliban in 2001. Only about 28% of urban homes have access to piped water and the percentage is much lower in rural areas. Many more people have access to water from wells and hand pumps, but this is often contaminated.
Afghanistan: children forced to abandon school through drought and poverty
10 Dec 08
Children in Chemtal district, in northern Afghanistan, are being forced to drop out of school because of drought and poverty. They have to work or spend many hours a day collecting water.
Afghanistan: update on ICRC's activities
24 Nov 08
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has published an update on its activities in Afghanistan, including its efforts to improve water supply and sanitation in the country.
Afghanistan: IOM helps provide clean water and sanitation for returnee communities
06 Nov 08
The International Organization for Migration has signed an agreement with the government of Afghanistan to provide water and sanitation to communities hosting returnees from Pakistan and Iran.
Afghanistan: UN helps authorities tackle diarrhoea outbreak
27 Oct 08
UN agencies are helping the authorities in Afghanistan to respond to an outbreak of diarrhoea, which has already cost 22 lives. WHO says the situation is largely under control.
Afghanistan: medical waste poses a serious health risk
27 Oct 08
Medical waste on open rubbish dumps is causing a serious health hazard in Kabul and other major cities. Kabul Municipality says it does not have the expertise to separate and dispose of the waste safely.
Afghanistan, Kabul: solid waste escalating out of control
09 Oct 08
Solid waste is accumulating in and around the Afghan capital Kabul, presenting a health hazard to local residents and damage to the environment.
