On the occasion of World Water Week 2020, DACAAR portrays the challenges that Afghan people are facing caused by flooding in August in Nangarhar province, as well as by displacement due to armed conflict in other provinces. DACAAR provides support in the form of hygiene education, hygiene kits, emergency latrines and baths, as well as by constructing wells. We work side-by-side with other aid organizations and all together we provide life-saving emergency services that change the lives of the Afghan people.

OmraBebe, widow, Nangarhar Province
"Life was always difficult for me and it became worse. I don't even have a house to live in anymore. The big flood killed all the animals. We don't have baths or latrines and have to use the open space. There is no safe water to drink. I have to walk far to bring water to drink", Omra Bebe said, a widow with 9 children, who lost her only source of income and her house to the floods in August 2020.

Zahida, Nangarhar Province
"When the flood came we picked up our three disabled sons and climb to the roof. Once the water went down we went back into our house, but the flood came back. One wall fell and killed my older son who was 12 and injured my other son. ", Zahida, 30-year-old female with 3 disabled children who lost her son in the floods of August 2020. “The water is not safe to use now. My husband lost his job and there is nothing left."

Maryam, widow, Nangarhar Province
"All of the rooms are damaged, after the flood. I am staying with my brother-in-law because my husband has died. I also lost my farm animals. We are bringing water from a well with a hand pump. Before the flood in August we used the well water inside of our house but the flood contaminated the water", said Maryam, a mother of 5 children.

GulabBebe, Nangarhar Province
"The flood damaged my entire house. We are five and don't know where to stay. All rooms are destroyed. We are using the open space at night as a latrine. This is unfortunate", mentioned GulabBebe, while standing in front of her damaged house.

Ghofran, Nangarhar Province
"My children and I are bringing water from far away. Before the flood in August we used the water from a 5-meter-deep water well but now the mud is mixed with water and can no longer be used. We don't know what to do first: fetch water for the family or prepare latrines or build a shelter", stated Ghofran, 42-year-old father of five sons and three daughters.

Anzar Gul, Nangarhar Province
"When my children woke up the flood was already inside the house. One of my children died and the other two were badly injured and need treatment. We do not have a place to sleep in. We all have water problems and I lost my way what to do", said Anzar Gul, a 60-year-old man standing next to DACAAR's sign.

QematBebe, Nangarhar Province
"DACAAR built us this hand pump three months ago. We used to buy water from the venders bringing it on motorbikes for 10 AFN. Now we are happy and we can easily get water and drink it and wash ourselves", said QematBebe, a mother with 8 children.

 Shafiullah, Nangarhar Province
"We had to bring water from our neighbors who live far away, but now the new well with the hand pump is close-by. My son, my wife and I can get water easily", said Shafiullah about the new hand pump built by DACAAR in Bihsood District of Nangarhar province.

Sebghatullah, Kunar Province
"Before DACAAR came here some of our villagers got the Coronavirus and were hospitalized. After that DACAAR staff told us about hand-washing with soap, to stay away from each other while greeting, and also to wear face masks. No one got sick after that. It also helped our children to become healthy who were sick from drinking unclean water", said Sebghatullah, the head of 9 family members in Chawki District of Kunar province. He received from DACAAR hygiene education and hygiene kits.

Azmuddin
Azmuddin and his son standing next to the emergency latrine constructed by DACAAR in Kunar province, Chawki District.

Fakhruddin, Herat Province
Fakhruddin and his two brothers were displaced to Herat city due to flooding in Chanaran village of Obe district. He says that because of DACAAR’s Hygiene Education Promoters they know now: “Before using river water we should boil it. Our children wash their hands with soap the way DACAAR showed them how to do it. I knew that many diseases come from dirty hands, and if we wash our hands properly and regularly we will not get sick that often. If a member of my family gets diarrhea, we can treat it with what we have at home, a water-sugar-salt solution."

GulmaRasoli, Ghor Province
Ongoing clashes between Taliban fighters and government in Taiwarah district of Ghor province cause massive displacement to Zaranj city in Nimroz province. Gulma and her family fled from that dangerous area: "We were forced to leave our house and our village. I was responsible for our family because my husband and two children are disabled. I don't have any other person to help me."We had no sufficient water for drinking here and no baths and no latrines. I am thankful for all that helped us, especially for DACAAR which supported us for two months. They gave us hygiene kits, drinking water, a latrine chair for my disabled son and husband, and told us bout proper hygiene. Before that, we did not know about the Coronavirus. Now we know the signs and how to prevent getting it."

Children standing at a house damaged by floods in Khewa district of Nangarhar Province

 Children standing by a handmade latrine in Khewa district of Nangarhar province

DACAAR Hygiene Promoter delivering hygiene messages for women and children affected by floods in Khewa district of Nangarhar province

Children standing in the middle of a flood affected house in Khewa district of Nangarhar province

Jamila, Farah Province
Jamila was displaced from Dehzak village in Balabuluk district of Farah province. She lost her husband during a conflict between Taliban fighters and government forces while he was working on his farm. Jamila participated in DACAAR’s hygiene education session and said: "I received emergency baths and latrines from DACAAR, hygiene education, and hygiene kits. It will help us to stay healthy and not get sick that often."

By: Zohal Nasrat