Archive · 29 Sep 2025
Kabul Water Crisis: Children Forced to Fetch Water Instead of School
Imagine a city where it barely rains, and the water is running out.
That's what's happening in Kabul, Afghanistan.
Families are struggling because their wells have dried up.
Kids like Noorullah and his twin have to spend their days hauling water instead of going to school.
They often wait for hours at communal taps, sometimes even getting into fights.
It's also affecting their health, with some getting sick from unsafe water.
The problem is getting worse because of climate change and a lack of good water systems, and some worry that Kabul will be the first city to completely run out of water.
Kabul is facing a severe water crisis, impacting families and children.
Children are missing school to fetch water due to dried-up wells.
The Afghanistan Analysts Network warns groundwater could run out by 2030.
Families spend a significant portion of their income on expensive water tankers.
Drought and climate change are major contributing factors to the water shortage.
- Who
- Noorullah and his twin brother, along with other families.
- What
- Water shortages are forcing children to fetch water instead of attending school.
- When
- The water crisis has been ongoing for four years and is worsening.
- Where
- Kabul, Afghanistan
- Why
- Drought, climate change, and lack of investment in water infrastructure.
- City facing crisis
- Kabul
- Main Issue
- Water Shortage
- Cause
- Drought and climate change
- Well Depth
- Wells 120 meters deep have dried up
- Income Impact
- Poor families spend up to 30% of income on water tankers
- Population
- Kabul has over 6 million residents