Hope flows: Clean water transforms lives in Helmand Province
Hope flows: Clean water transforms lives in Helmand Province
For families in Nahr-e-Siraj Mena and Bolan, two communities on the outskirts of Lashkar Gah in southern Afghanistan’s Helmand Province, access to safe drinking water was once an everyday struggle. The groundwater beneath their homes was salty and unsafe, forcing residents to either buy expensive water or drink what they had, despite the health risks.
Women and children bore the heaviest burden. Each day, they walked long distances under the harsh sun to fetch water, often carrying heavy containers back to their homes. Waterborne diseases were common, and many children missed school because of illness or household chores linked to fetching water.
A sustainable solution
To address this critical need, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, with the generous support of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), implemented the construction of solar-powered water supply systems in both communities.
The project included drilling deep wells, installing solar pumping systems, and building distribution networks to bring clean water closer to families. Dozens of water points were established across the two areas, providing easy and equitable access for more than 800 households (around 5,000 people).
By harnessing solar energy, the system ensures a continuous and environmentally friendly water supply, reducing dependence on costly fuel or electricity.
A new sense of hope
The impact has been immediate. Residents who once spent hours searching for water now collect it near their homes and children are spending more time in school instead of carrying jerrycans.
“In the past, we did not have access to clean drinking water because the water in our area was salty and not suitable for drinking,”
“Those who could afford it bought water, but families like ours were forced to drink the salty water, which caused many diseases. Now, this problem is completely solved. Every day we receive fresh and clean water, and our families are much healthier.”
Another resident, Mirwai shared: “Since the solar water system was built, we have clean water for drinking, cooking, and washing. Our health has improved, and life has become easier.”
Clean water and dignity
For many families, access to clean water is more than a convenience, it’s a lifeline. Women now have more time for their families and small livelihoods, while children can focus on learning. The project in Helmand is one of several UNHCR-led initiatives across Afghanistan that aim to strengthen basic services for returnees, internally displaced people, and vulnerable host communities, while promoting sustainability through the use of renewable energy.