Basic Services

We deliver basic services such as community infrastructure, clean water and sanitation, and education; essential to long-term development and breaking the cycle of poverty. Following decades of conflict and economic collapse, national capacity to provide these services is limited. Afghanaid plays an important role in filling these gaps for the people of Afghanistan.

Community Infrastructure

We invest in community infrastructure that strengthens livelihoods, such as by irrigating land and building roads and bridges which link remote communities to markets; we improve community health by building hospitals and clinics; and we bring electricity to villages by building hydropower schemes.  

Mohammad Ansari's story

Learn how building a new road supported the residents of Larghan village to access healthcare facilities, schools, markets and job opportunities. 

Read More

Water, Sanitation and Hygiene

Years of severe drought and repeated natural disasters have meant that the proportion of households experiencing barriers to accessing clean water increased to 60% in 2022, a sharp rise from 48% the previous year. Currently, 8 in 10 families are estimated to drink unsafe water.

We reduce preventable sickness and death by improving access to clean drinking water and sanitation facilities, and by raising awareness of good hygiene practices in communities and schools. For example, we delivered a three-year project to deliver clean water, sanitation infrastructure and hygiene education to villages and schools in Samangan province, reaching over 66,000 vulnerable people. The project resulted in:

• A reduction in the under-5 mortality rate from 160 deaths per 1000 children to 70 deaths per 1000 children.
• Improved school attendance as a result of fewer days missed due to sickness.
• Improved school attendance particularly among teenage girls due to the provision of proper, private toilets facilities.

"Now, with wells and water storage, we have safe water and more time."

52 stand taps were built in Sara's village, transforming her access to clean water. 

Read Sara's story

Education

We enable better access to education in poor and remote rural areas by building schools which are fit for purpose for girls and boys alike. This includes the provision of toilets, water wells, desks and chairs, as well as handwashing facilities to keep students healthy and improve school attendance. 

As well as providing services, we have established and continue to support over 3,750 community development councils to strengthen the capacity of communities to better manage their own development; improving the ability of vulnerable groups to access services and respond to community needs.

Image: Richard Pohle/The Times

Please select a donation amount (required)

£10 Could buy 10 apple trees for a family, providing them with a new source of income and nutrition.

£50 Could cover the costs of a water tap, giving a village access to clean drinking water.

£100 Could cover the costs of an emergency food parcel to feed a whole family for 1 month.

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