EC funded drinking water supply is reaching 400,000 beneficiaries in drought stricken Afghan districts 15.11.2006 A comprehensive programme launched last year by the European Commission and implemented by ten NGOs is providing drinking water and access to improved sanitation to around 400,000 beneficiaries in 20 districts of 6 provinces of Central and Northern Afghanistan. "In the light of the latest drought in Afghanistan, the European Community's efforts to find, together with its partners and the Afghan people, a long term solution to the water supply problem in drought affected districts, is of particular importance" – says Mr Hansjörg Kretschmer, Head of the EC Delegation to Afghanistan. In 2005 the Delegation of the European Commission to Afghanistan launched a call for proposals trying to address the structural problem of access to drinking water in particularly hard hit areas. Ten NGOs were awarded contracts worth € 5 million altogether. While some of the projects are still ongoing and will be completed at the end of the year, the preliminary results are encouraging. The combined effort of the local populations and NGOs has built so far more than 600 shallow wells, 500 tube wells, 28 kilometres of pipe schemes, 135 kilometres of karez and other water catching systems, 3,300 latrines. To ensure smooth sustainable operation of the water systems, the projects include community based operation & maintenance components, establishing spare parts outlets and training 1738 water point caretakers. While the lack of safe drinking water has contributed to the outbreak of water borne diseases, a massive programme of hygiene education reaching 102,951 persons can multiply the health through an increased access to safe water. Further information will follow at the completion of the programme. Earlier this month, the European Commission adopted a decision to commit further €2.5 million in emergency humanitarian aid for victims affected by severe drought in Afghanistan, to be channelled through the European Commission Humanitarian Aid department (ECHO). << | >> |
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